Old English Idyls 



Hall 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap.^S.r'Copyright No^ 



Shelf. 



:0,^ 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



OLD ENGLISH IDYLS 



JOHN LESSLIE HALL 

(Translator of Beowulf) 

Professor of the English Language and Literature in the 

College of William and Mary 



" England was conquered to the music of verse, 
and settled to the sound of the harp." 

STOPFORD BROOKE. 

" No doubt, as they pushed the bows of their 
long keels on to the shore of the Isle of Thanet, 
they shouted short staves of verse with so great a 
roaring that Gildas might well call them ' whelps 
from the lair of the barbarian lioness.' " 

STOPFORD BROOKE. 



BOSTON, U.S.A. 
GINN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 

1899 



''0GT261899 J 






44281 



Copyright, 1899 
By JOHN LESSLIE HALL 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

TWO COPIES RECEIVED, 







2)eMcation 

I hear in the chamber above me 

The patter of Httle feet, 
The sound of a door that is opened, 

And voices soft and sweet. 

They climb up into my turret 

O'er the arms and back of my chair; 
If I try to escape, they surround me ; 

They seem to be everywhere." 

LONGFELLOW. 



PREFACE. 



The kind reception given my translation of Beoivulf 
by both philological and literary journals, by philologists 
and littth'ateurs, has encouraged me to further work in 
the same field. This time, however, I have indulged 
my own imagination, with some help from myth and 
history ; and I shall hope for a larger audience than 
before. 

In the following pages I have tried to give a pano- 
ramic view of the Teutonic conquest of England and 
of the heroic period of Old English, or Anglo-Saxon, 
history. I have, as it were, assumed the role of an 
English gleeman of about a.d. iooo, and have sought 
to reproduce to some extent the spirit, the metre, and 
the leading characteristics of Old English verse. 

As to details and technique, I have changed my mind 
somewhat since I published the translation of Beowulf. 
I have concluded that a reader who can enjoy allitera- 
tion on two lines out of three will willingly go farther. 
Indeed, friendly critics of the translation referred to 
have said that alliteration should have been used on 



vi Preface. 

every line, as that work created a taste for alliteration 
without satisfying it sufficiently. 

In another matter also I have somewhat altered my 
opinion — namely, in regard to the juxtaposition of two 
accented syllables ; and the Anglo-Saxon scholar will 
find in this work a goodly number of C and D types, 
along with the three (A, B, and E) used in my Bcoividf. 

In the preface to my Beoiuulf translation I referred 
to Browning as using cadences closely resembling those 
of Anglo-Saxon verse. I might have referred also to 
Longfellow's Cliallenge of T/ior and Nnn of Nidaros, 
and to Lowell's Gndridd s PropJiccy^ as showing that 
these two poets felt the power of old Germanic metres. 
In the same connection I would refer to Tennyson's 
remarkable translation of the Battle of BnmanbtirJi and 
to TJie Gleam, one of his latest published poems. 

While the poets of the last generation were feeling 
out towards these old metres, a great scholar of their 
day in his public lectures ^ was yearning for a return to 
the form and spirit of our ancient verse, and predicting 
that there would some day be a renaissance of that form 
and spirit. 

Very recently Mr. William Watson and Mr. W. E. 
Henley, two of the younger poets of England, have 
made use of rhymeless measures closely resembling 

1 George P. Marsh, Lectures on the English Language, Lecture XXIII. 



Preface, vii 

those of Anglo-Saxon poetry. These are possibly due 
to the study of the Anglo-Saxon poetry itself, or they 
may be experiments made under the influence of some 
of the poets named above. However that may be, I am 
convinced that many of our poets and a large number 
of their readers have a ''feeling" for the ancient forms 
of English verse ; and I believe that the friends of my 
Beowulf work and some others will be willing to follow 
me while I put into verse-forms approximating the 
Anglo-Saxon types some of the myths, legends, and 
poetical situations of the Anglo-Saxon era. 

Mr. Henley's poem to Margaret E. Henley and Mr. 
Watson's Englmid My Mother I would cite in connec- 
tion with the reference made to them in a foregoing 

paragraph. 

J. L. HALL. 

Williamsburg, Va., 
Jan. I, 1899. 



CONTENTS. 

I'AGE 

I. The Calling of Hengist and Horsa . . i 

11. The Landing of Hengist and Horsa . . ii 

III. The Lady Rowena 20 

IV. The Death of Horsa 34 

V. Cerdic and Arthur 47 

VI. Augustinc 59 

VII. Alfred . . . . " 73 

VIII. Edgar the Peaceable 92 



OLD ENGLISH IDYLS. 



3^<KC 



THE CALLING OF HENGIST AND HORSA. 

Lo ! in legend and lay long we have heard of 

The fame of our fathers, folk-leaders mighty, 

Eminent earlmen. Oft, gleem en-thanes 

All through the ages, excellent song-smiths. 

Have sung of the bold and brave and illustrious 

Fathers of England from far o'er the waters. 

Earls of the eastward, how, oft in their sea-boats, 

They sailed from their happy homes on the mainland 

Far o'er the flood-deeps, famed, mighty ones, 

Westward to Albion, wishing, craving 

More honor and glory than ever had come to 

Earls of that era. / have ne'er heard of 

Men so mighty of muscle and valor. 

Earls so eminent, as the atheling-brothers, 

Hengist and Horsa, heroes of Anglia, 

Lords of the mainland. The lay of the gleeman 

Is full of their fame. Far 'mid the races, , 

The minstrel's song, swelling to heavenward. 

Tells of the splendid, spacious, audacious 



2 Old English Idyls. 

Deeds of those daring, doughty, invincible 

Fathers of freedom who fared o'er the waters 

Hither to England, and here builded them 

A kingdom so mighty that men cannot shake it. 

And hell cannot take it. These high-hearted, eminent 

Earls of the mainland, eager for glory, 

Were feasting, carousing in their far-away, sea-washed 

Home in the billows : blithe were the sea-kings, 

Beer was abundant. Their beakers lifted they, 

Lustily shouting : the sheen-bright, delicious 

Drink of good heroes they drained merrily 

From cups that were brimming, from bumpers adorned 

By the art of the graver. 'Mid all of the races, 

Kindreds and folks, few had not heard of 

Wihtgils's sons, Woden's great-grandsons, 

Hengist and Horsa, heroes distinguished. 

Land- chiefs beloved. Lavish of treasures, 

They feasted and shouted far over the waters, 

East over the ocean, where Anglians and Jutemen 

And men of the Saxons, mighty, dauntless. 

Royalest of races, were reared 'mid the billows, 

Founders of freedom. There flowed in abundance 

The dear-loved mead, mellow, delicious 

Cheer-drink of heroes : high was the glee. 

The bright cups clattered. Clear to the welkin 

Sang then the singer the sweet, heart-cheering, 

Most winsome of melodies men ever listened to, 

Heroes under heaven. I have heard never 

'Neath arch of the ether of earls gladsomer, 

Of men merrier with music and laughter 



The Calling of Hengist and Horsa. 3 

And song of the gleeman. Sang he exultingly, 

In hall and in bower, to hero and maiden, 

Of the daring deeds done by their fathers, 

Of mighty marvels of muscle and valor 

Wrought by their forefathers, far-famous heroes and 

Athelings of old. Earls, hero-thanes 

Harked to the harper. The high-mooded troopers 

Lifted their lances and lustily bellowed. 

Clattered and clanged them, clashing and crashing 

Their shields and their shafts, shouting, yelling. 

So great was their glee ; good were their folk-lords, 

Their liegelords beloved were lavish of jewels ; 

Beer was abundant, and beakers were foaming 

And bumpers were brimming ; the benches did rattle, 

Loud was the laughter. — Then the lady Rowena, 

Wavy-haired, winsome, well-loved daughter 

Of Hengist the atheling, entered the mead-hall ; 

With jewels unnumbered, the gem-brilliant maiden 

Glittered and glimmered and glinted resplendently. 

Star-like did sparkle, as stately, decorous 

She came through the building. The brothers were 

seated. 
Hero by hero, high on the dais. 
Famed folk-leaders. Fondly Hengist, then, 
Greeted his daughter : down by her father 
She sat on the settle, sweet, elf-lovely. 
Curly-locked lady. The lay of the gleeman, then, 
Sounded sonorous, swelled like a chorus. 
Rising to skyward ; the scop's clear strains. 
The harp's sweet harmony, heavenward mounted, 



4 Old English Idyls. 

Merry their mood : of men under heaven 
There is none wise enough to know or to dream 
What Wyrd the weaver willeth to bring him 
Of good or of ill : to each happen eth 
Of weal or of woe what Wyrd appointeth him : 
She is supreme. — There passed, then, a liegeman 
Where Hengist and Horsa, high-mooded kinsmen, * 
Bold, battle-fierce, their beakers were tasting, 
Spake with decorum, came with his message then. 
Door- warden doughty : ** Dear-loved leaders. 
There are come to our coast, craving to see ye, 
Eager and anxious earlmen from Albion's 
Far-away shores, have fared o'er the water-ways. 
Came o'er the currents, craving to see the 
Beloved lords of the lands of the Saxons, 
Whose fame, they say, hath afar and awide been 
Borne on the breezes that blow to that far-land 
West o'er the waters. They wish and do beg ye 
That ye famous folk-leaders will fain grant them 
A hearing to have now." Hengist replied, then, 
Offspring of Woden : *' Etheldrith dear. 
Excellent earlman, hast thou asked these wanderers 
What led them to leave their land and their kindred 
Far o'er the ocean, and out on the waters 
Boldly to battle the blustering currents, 
Sailing the seas } " Said then Etheldrith, 
Door- warden doughty : "I doubt not the sleepless. 
Watchful and dauntless ward of the sea- coast 
Questioned them coming, as his custom is ever 
To stand on the strand striding his charger, 



The Calling of Hcugist and Horsa. 5 

Curly-man ed courser." Quoth then Hengist, 

Wihtgils's son : '' Safely then lead them, 

Excellent Etheldrith, in to the buildmg 

While bumpers are brimming ; bid them to enter the 

Hall of good heroes." High on the dais, then. 

Sat the two brothers ; blithe were the earlmen, 

Doughty and daring : of death, horrible 

Robber and reaver, recked then but little 

The far-famed, unflinching, fearless, invincible 

Earlmen of Anglia. All was yet joyous, 

Happy was Horsa : for him was not done then 

The weaving of woe that Wyrd, the mighty one, 

Winds as she will for world-folk and races. 

Children of men. — Mindful of courtesy, 

Etheldrith came in to the wine-hall. 

Bringing the messengers, men of the waters. 

Earls of the ocean. The excellent liegemen 

And kinsmen of Hengist and Horsa were feasting ; 

Singing their songs, sat they carousing. 

Gladsome, gleeful. Gaily shouted they. 

Sorrow they knew not. The sons of the athelings. 

Brave-hearted battle-thanes, were blithely quaffing the 

Luscious and mellow mead that was flowing 

In beaker embossed and bumper ycarven 

By art of the craftsman. All their equipments, 

Armor and arms, did the earlmen of Albion 

Early do off, entered the building, 

The wide-famed wassail-hall ; with welcome were greeted 

By many an Anglian as ale-cups were passing. — 

Ludwell discoursed, a lord of the Britons, 



6 Old English Idyls. 

Earlman of Albion : '' Ye earth-famous brothers, 
Hengist and Horsa, heroes of Saxony, 
Fair-haired, far-renowned folk-leaders mighty. 
Hearken our message. Hither the currents. 
The billows of ocean brought us uninjured. 
Bold in our barks, braving the waters, 
The seething surges, sent, sped upon 
Errand most urgent, asking the mighty and 
Far-famous, fearless, fierce-mooded, dauntless 
Hengist and Horsa to help us to conquer the 
Direful, devilish demons and monsters 
That, night and day, never relenting, 
Dog and pursue us, devils from hell. 
Fiercest of foemen." Furious-mooded 
Hengist, then, answered : '' Hear when I tell ye 
That Wyrd all-wise willingly helpeth 
The undaunted earl if doughty his spirit ! 
Go ye then back ; bear to your people 
This message from Hengist, men of the westward, 
That death is dearer to the dauntless hero 
Than infamous life is." Ludwell replied. 
Prince of the Britons : "■ Bravest of warriors, 
High-Tnooded Hengist, hearken, we beg thee. 
We are kinsmen and vassals of Vortigern mighty. 
King of the Kentmen. We came at his bidding 
To pray that your troopers, with ye two as leaders. 
The brave-hearted, battle- true barons of Saxony, 
Will lend us their aid, our land and dear ones 
To defend from the furious, fiery, implacable 
Fiends of the north. Foemen oppress us. 



The Calling of Hcngist and Horsa, 7 

Cruelly harry us, killing and slaying us : 

Men of the Picts painted and horrible, 

Those grnii, grisly and ghastly destroyers. 

From the north swooping are sacking and burning 

Our hedges and homesteads, heedless of pity, 

Fell, fierce-mooded. And from far o'er the waters 

Men of the Scots, mighty and cruel, 

Grind us to powder ; greedy of plunder, 

They rob and ravage, ruthless and savage 

Demons and devils. Dear hero-knights. 

Wide-famous war-leaders, will ye not hearken 

Our mournful entreaties ? Our true-hearted liegelord, 

The wielder of Kentmen, well will requite ye, 

Vortigern the king will care for and grant you 

Gifts as gracious as good he bestoweth 

Free from his hand." Hengist the chieftain 

Laughed then loudly, land-prince distinguished. 

Said then smilingly : " Meseemeth 't were better 

That your king grapple and gird on his weapons, 

His armor and arms, his excellent falchion. 

And lead out his loyal liegemen and vassals 

To fight for their homes, than hide in his palace 

In shameless deeds, shaking with terror. 

Meek 'mid his maidens : many have told us 

He slinks like a sluggard. But say, good Ludwell, 

What aileth Albion's earlmen and princes 

To weep, wailing like women and children, 

And flee from the foemen ? Your fathers of old 

Were brave as the bear. With bosoms undaunted 

They looked for the legions that long had been winning 



8 Old English Idyls. 

Wars o'er the waters, waded to sea-ward 

Meeting the foeman. Much have your people 

Failed of their fame. Folk-leaders worthy, 

Hasten ye homeward hence in your vessel, 

Safe in your sea-boat, say to your liegelord 

That heroes of Anglia heeded your message and 

Will send you assistance. The seas angrily 

Foam in their fury ; far is the journey, 

Dire the danger : if we dare to adventure 

Crossing the currents, our keels imperilling, 

Far from fatherland, facing the billows 

That roar and tumble and toss and rumble. 

Where the wind northeast, icicle-laden 

Fiercely doth whistle, — if we face the great tempests 

Bringing you aid, offer ye nothing 

Our kindness requiting } Will the king of the Kentmen 

Gladly give to us gold in abundance. 

Shepherd of peoples, will shower upon us 

Gems and jewels, your generous-mooded 

Liegelord beloved.?" Ludwell rejoined, 

Earlman of Albion : " Eastward of Kent, 

Off in the ocean is the island of Thanet, 

The loveliest of lands that are lapped by the billows, 

Winsomest of isles of all engirdled 

In the wash of the waves, water-encircled. 

Fairest of places. This fain, gratefully. 

We '11 grant you to hold as home-land and country 

Forever and ever, excellent-mooded 

Lords of the Saxons ; and lavish of treasures 

We '11 fee your dear troopers, if ye fare hitherward 



The Calling of Hengist and Horsa. 9 

And help us to hurl these horrible, cruel 
Demons and devils to their dens in the northland 
And west o'er the waters." '' Well have ye spoken," 
Hengist exclaimed ; ''we will come early now, 
Braves of the Britons, and bring you assistance, 
Soon o'er the sea-deeps. You may say, strangers, 
That Hengist and Horsa, the high-mooded, dauntless 
Kings of the creeks, will climb on their vessels with 
Many a daring, doughty, unflinching- 
Sea-dog and viking, and seek for the beautiful, 
Wide-famous, winsome, well-loved, down-trodden 
Island of Albion. Not any of foemen 
Ever hath daunted us. On all the waters 
We have stretched under heaven our standards and 

banners. 
The ocean is ours ; the isles of the sea 
Bow to our bidding and bring us their treasure 
Of grain and of gold. Gleeful, fearless, 
We ride on the rivers, racing and chasing 
The fleets of the foe. Fare ye then homeward, 
Back to dear Albion ; bid them to turn their 
Eyes to the eastward." Off then they hastened 
Forth on the flood-ways, far to the westward. 
Hying them home. The harp's sweet music 
They heard on the air. The earls of the Anglians, 
Their cups draining, drank as they hearkened : 
Sweet was the song ; sang then the harper 
Gladly his gleesongs, gave forth his music 
Proudly, exultantly. His praise lavished he, 
Singing the story of the exceeding glory 



lO Old English Idyls. 

Of earlmen of old, athelings, mighty ones, 

Sons of the gods, scions of Woden ; 

Urged the brave earhiien ever to mind them 

From whence sprang they ; sped them on their journey, 

Urged them to Albion, isle of the sea-foam, 

Land all lovely with leaves, blossoms. 

Forests and flowers, fairest and winsomest 

Island that ocean ever embraceth. 

Bountiful, beauteous ; bade them possess it. 



11. 

THE LANDING OF HENGIST AND HORSA. 

Early thereafter, earlmen of Anglia, 

With Hengist and Horsa, heroes distinguished and 

Leaders beloved, leaped in their fast-chasing, 

Stout-builded, sturdy steeds of the water-ways, 

On the seas clomb then, to seek for the far-away, 

Wide-famed, sea-girt, water-encircled 

Island of Albion, most excellent land 

The sun ever smiled on. — In song and in legend 

Of the folk of the east, 't was often recited 

(The heroes had heard it), how hardy, brave-mooded 

Men of the mainland once mounted the ocean. 

The storm-troubled sea, that stretched to the westward, 

And sailed o'er the currents, till they came to a land of 

Fruits and of flowers and foliage so green 

As never was seen, whither Saxon rovers 

Thronged in thousands, thinking to capture 

That land so lovely. — Light-hearted, glad were 

The henchmen of Hengist ; high their glee was, 

Merry their mood : men do not know what 

Wyrd awaiteth them. Wassail and song 

Rose to the welkin. There rode, then, at anchor 

Close by the cliff-edge, keels for the journey. 

Three of them lovely : lay they well fastened there 



12 Old Eno-lisk Idyls. 



^> 



Safe by the sea-shore, with sails fluttering 

Broad on the breezes that blew o'er the ocean, 

The realm of the oar. The excellent vessels were 

Eager and anxious to be off on adventure, 

Longingly looked tow'rd the lands of the west, 

Thirsted for glory. Thanemen of Hengist 

From afar and an ear knew of the journey. 

To the coast came then ; craving for glory, 

Begged he would grant them to go on the far-famed. 

Daring and venturesome voyage, to bear their 

Aid unto Albion : earls of that day were all 

Eager for honor. Off by the shore, then. 

The birds of the billows blithely awaited the 

Heroes' behest ; in harbor all ready were 

The keels at the coast. There clomb to the prow, then, 

High-mooded, happy henchmen and kinsmen 

Of Hengist and Horsa. Hundreds of earlmen 

To the shore thronged, then, each thinking that, haply, 

'T was he that would have the high and distinguished 

Honor and glory of going that daring and 

Venturesome voyage. The vessels lay ready, 

Foam-throated floaters. Fair-haired, eagle-eyed 

Heroes of Anglia were happy and glee-hearted. 

Lifting their lances, laughing, shouting. 

Wished for the wind to waft them to Albion's 

Beautiful shores. Bountiful treasures. 

Richest of ring-mails, rings and jewels and 

Collars and corselet with carving embellished 

By armorer's art — all quickly were 

Laid on the vessel, loveliest of gifts for the 



The Landing of Hcngist and Horsa. i 

King of the Kentmen. The customs they knew 
Of earls of that era. Not ever was told me 
Of gifts that were greater : good were the heroes ! — 
They sailed seaward then ; saw in the distance 
The fairest of fatherlands, fond-loved country, 
Home of good heroes. — High on his courser. 
The guard of the strand stood on his watch and 
Gazed out to seaward, saw his dear comrades 
Sail out on the ocean, off on the fathomless 
Home of the whale : his heart wavered then 
'Twixt sorrow and joy. He rejoiced in glory and 
Augured them fame ; but he feared that his dear ones 
Were leaving beloved land-folk and kindred 
Forever behmd them, on endless adventure. 
To meet them no more. Yet, mindful of honor, 
Loudly he shouted : '* Lords of the Anglians, 
Hengist and Horsa ; hail, ye distinguished 
Earls of the ocean. To all and some of you 
My greeting I give, gladly saluting you. 
Wishing you well. Wend on your journey, 
The gods watch over you. Odin and Frea 
Keep you and care for you coming and going. 
Where'er on the ocean ye earlmen may venture. 
May Njord graciously grant you his aid o'er 
The throng of the waters. Thor the Hammerer 
And Baldur the Beautiful bless you and keep you 
Fighting for fame. Farewell, ye heroes : 
Hasten ye hitherward home to your fatherland, 
Laden with lustre." Then, lightly and sprightly, 
The foamy-necked barks fanned by the breezes, 



14 Old English Idyls. 

Likest to birds bosomed the waters, 

Coursing the currents, keels of the dauntless, 

Famous, fearless, far-sailing heroes. 

Encircled with speed. The sea-boats glided. 

Barks of the vikings, bounded the mere-ways, 

The fields of the flood. Fain, glad-mooded, 

Hengist the high-hearted hero and leader. 

Stood by the steersman that sturdily guided the 

Rein-deer of breezes as she ran through the water-streets 

Over to Albion. The Anglian leader, then, 

Eagerly asked as to all of the beauteous. 

Delightsome lands that lay in his vision 

Afar and anear, northward, southward. 

Eastward and westward ; anxiously waited he 

And hoped for his haven, as hied the good vessel, 

The deer of the surf, southward, westward. 

To Albion, the fair and ever-beloved 

Land of great heroes. — High on his seat, then. 

The steersman espied a storm to the northward ; 

Ocean was angry ; the oarsmen fearless, 

Sons of the sea. Soon were the vessels 

Embraced by the billows, the birds of the ocean 

Clutched by the currents. The cordage creaked, 

The chains rattled, chattered and clattered, 

The good ships groaned, grewsomely moaned. 

Blustering blasts blew from the northward. 

Eager and icy : / have heard never 

That so fierce and frightful and frantic a storm e'er 

So rushed in its rage and raved o'er the sea-deeps 

Icicle-laden. — The earlmen were merry, 



The Landing of Hcngist and Horsa. 15 

And, shaking their shields, shouted so loud that 

The terrible roar of the tempest was more 

Than drowned in the sound. — The sea-ways were 

troubled. 
Rocking and roaring ; no rest had the vessels ; 
The tackling crackled, as timbers and beams were 
Mashing and crashing. The men of the Anglians 
Wished but weened not the well-loved ships could 
Bear them to Albion. Then brightened the heavens, 
The sun from the southward soon in the welkin 
Lavished his luminous lustre and splendor 
O'er land-folk and races, lovely, brilliant 
Candle of heaven. O'er the cup of the waves, then. 
The swans of the sea swam on the billows, 
Southward and westward, till soon in the distance the 
Earls of the Anglians not aught could behold of 
The land where their loved ones long o'er the waters, 
Yearning to meet them, waited to greet them ; 
No more saw then the sweetest of countries 
That ocean doth ever ardently woo to his 
Blustering embraces. The battle-brave earls 
Saw in the distance southward and eastward, 
Far o'er the sea, Saxon and Angle-land, 
Cradle of heroes, and the cloud-capped shores 
Where the free Frisians, famed 'mid the races, 
Have with locks unshorn lived through the ages, 
Bending their necks to none under heaven, 
Kingliest of kins. The}' came on their journey 
Where Eider and Elbe and Ems and Weser, 
Dear-loved waters, wind to the ocean, 



1 6 Old English Idyls. 

And beauteous Rhine, river of heroes, 

Flashing and splashing foams to the northward 

Seeking the sea. Then sailing westward, they 

Early anon drew nigh to the beautiful. 

Longed-for, lovely land they had dreamed of 

On their way o'er the waters, winsome, peerless 

Isle of the ocean, ever-beloved 

Land of the leal. Live forever, thou 

Beauteous Albion, bride of the waters. 

Fairest of fatherlands ! Fondly, lovingly, 

Sing we thy praises, precious and world-honored 

Land of our fathers. — The foam-covered vessels 

Came to the coast, the keels speedily 

Borne by the breezes, birds of the water-ways 

Flying afar. Folk of the island, then. 

Gladly greeted them, giving them welcome as 

Friends that the Father had found them and brought them 

To fight with the foeman. Few of them wist, then, 

How Wyrd the weaver wove at her spindle 

Of good or of ill for all men and races 

That dwell on the earth, as ever she must do, 

Goddess supreme. — Proudly equipped 

The men of the ocean were eager to step then 

Off the dear barks that had brought them to Albion's 

Shores they had longed for. Their lances did shimmer, 

Their bills and burnies brightly did glimmer 

And glisten resplendent ; sparkling, flashing, 

Jewels were bright in the battle-true, sturdy 

Brands of the heroes. The barks of the troopers, 

Well-loved vessels, went shoreward then, 



The Landing of Hengist and Ilorsa. i 7 

Grindiiii;- the gravel. Glad were the sea-boats 

To lie by the land they long had been seeking for 

O'er ocean's angry eddies and currents 

That had dashed them and lashed them. Then the 

daring, intrepid 
Earls of the Angles eagerly hastened to 
Leap to the land, longed to possess the 
Loveliest of isles that ocean claspeth 
In his big embraces, most beauteous of places 
In the wash of the waters. — Well they remembered 
The rings, jewels and richest of burnies, 
Collars, corselets, with carving embellished. 
They had laid on the ship as likest to please the 
King of the Kentmen. With care lifted they 
The bountiful treasure. — So the troopers all ready 
Stood on the strand : the strangers were eager to 
March on their mission. Men of the island. 
Folk of the Kentmen, came then to meet them 
And gladly did greet them, gratefully hailing the 
Fond-loved heroes that feared not to bring them 
Aid o'er the ocean, early did hie then 
To bind the dear barks that brought them to Albion, 
Where Wantsum's waters, washing and swashing- 
Shingled the shore. The ships quickly were 
Bound with their ropes and rocked on the billows ; 
The beautiful-bosomed birds of the ocean 
Quietly lay in the long-sought, well-earned 
Nests they had flown to. Fain, Anglians 
Would look for the king ; called for the gleeman to 
Sweep o'er his strings and sing them the glories 



1 8 Old English Idyls. 

Of their fathers before them, folk-leaders mighty, 

And lays of the land they had left far behind them when 

Hither they hastened. The harp resounded 

With music and melody. Mightily shouted 

The exultant, triumphant earls of the ocean, 

Sons of the sea ; they sang with the gleeman of 

The doughty and daring deeds wrought by their 

Fathers of old, earth-famed, distinguished 

Founders of freedom and folk-builders mightiest 

Known of the nations. Anon, the joyous 

Shaft and the shield shared in the merriment, 

Clanging and clanking and clashing and crashing, 

Well-loved weapons. War-thanes, liegemen 

Of Hengist and Horsa hied them to Vortigern, 

Lord of the land, liegelord of Albion ; 

The troopers did tramp, treading measuredly, 

Sought for the king : the sweetest of melodies 

Wound to the welkin, winsomest of music 

'Neath the hand of the harper. ^ High on the dais then, 

The lord of the Kentmen saluted the brave-hearted 

Heroes and vikings : " Hail ! ye distinguished 

Men of the mainland, mighty, eminent 

Folk-leaders famed. Foemen implacable 

Are cruelly harrying, killing and slaying us ; 

Men of the Picts painted, horrible, 

Grisly and grim, ghastly destroyers. 

Swoop from the northward sacking and burning our 

Hedges and homesteads, heedless of pity and 

Fierce-mooded, fell ; and, from far o'er the waters. 

Men of the Scots, mighty and scatheful and 



The Lauding of Hengist and Horsa. 19 

Cruel and venomous, are coming in hordes 

To grind us to powder. Great-hearted heroes, 

If ye came o'er the ocean to aid us in driving 

And beating these demons back to their dens in the 

North and the west, I know it will happen 

That forever and ever earthmen shall honor you 

And gleeman and minstrel remember your deeds in their 

Legend and story." Strided then Hengist 

Up to the dais ; angrily, hurriedly 

Cried to the king : " We came o'er the ocean. 

Asking not honor : the island of Thanet 

Is the loveliest of lands that lie in the billows and 

Are washed by the waters, well-loved island, 

Dearest of places. Promise us this 

To have and to hold as a homestead forever 

For us and our heirs, if we aid you in driving these 

Demons and devils to their dens in the northland and 

West o'er the waters." ''Well hast thou spoken, 

Hengist the Saxon ; so shall be it then, 

High-mooded heroes." The hall resounded 

With gladness and glee ; gifts were abundant and 

Beer was not bitter ; bowls overflowing were 

Lifted aloft ; and the lord of the Kentmen 

In the brimming bumper buried the sorrow that 

The wrath of the hero-chief wrought in his soul-deeps. 



III. 

THE LADY ROWENA. 

Few were the months ere foes numberless 

As the seashore's sands savagely harassed 

The king of the Kentmen. The cruel, blood-thirsty 

Men of the Picts minded but little, then. 

Foes from the northland, how the fair-haired, dauntless 

Earlmen of Anglia ever intrepidly 

Hewed them with edges, aiding the Kentmen, 

But hied southwardly, ceased not their ravenous 

Sacking and hacking. Soon was it told to the 

Woe-begone king, the womanish, white-livered 

Liegelord of Albion, that his earlmen and vassals, 

Scorning him bitterly, would bring them a king 

From the southward and westward, a war-mooded leader 

Who dauntless and doughty would drive him away 

From kingdom and country. He called terror-struck 

(His heart was so heavy) for Hengist, far- famous 

Earl of the Angles, urged him to help them 

As erst he had done, eagerly promised 

To give and to grant him gifts abundantly, 

All he might ask of him. East o'er the waters. 

O'er the surging, seething, sea-currents foaming, 

Sent, then, Hengist for Saxons and Angles 

And Jutemen and Frisians, folk of the mainland, 



The Lady Rowena. 21 

Most venturous-mooded of vikings and pirates 

That sailed o'er the sea-deeps : soon, messengers 

Reached the brave races. Readily, eagerly. 

Heard the good heroes that Hengist had bidden them 

Come o'er the waters ; and there came then rejoicing 

Earls of the east eager for glory 

And thirsting for fame. Far o'er the waters. 

O'er the waves westward, winds from the northward 

Fanned then their foam-throated, far-dashing vessels 

O'er the curve of the currents : the cliffs and headlands 

Of beautiful Albion beckoned them onward 

Far o'er the flood-deeps. Fond-loving comrades 

Of the good days of old, ea'ger to meet them, 

Hied then to greet them : hearth-companions. 

Kinsmen and brethren, came then joyfully, 

Blithely embraced them, and bade them to tell of 

The land and loved ones left o'er the waters 

Far to the northward ; of friends, kindred 

And own dear fatherland fondly inquired they, 

Asked then eagerly, earlman of earlman, 

One of the other. — Early anon. 

They bound to the shore the barks of the athelings 

Eighteen beautiful birds of the water 

Close by the coast, cabled them tightly. 

Fastened them firmly, lest the flood of the tide 

Should sweep out to seaward the swans of the ocean. 

Or the shattering shoals should shiver and crush the 

Barks that had brought their brethren and comrades 

Safe o'er the sea-deeps. — Sweetest to Hengist 

Of all that had come o'er the cu}) of the billows, 



22 Old English Idyls. 

O'er the mingling of waters, westward and southward, 

Was the lady Rowena, the lovely, beautiful, 

Gem-brilliant maiden, jewel and darling 

Of Hengist the hero : the harp and the gleeman 

Have sung for ages the elf-bright folk-maiden's 

Beauty and loveliness. Broad her renown is ; 

Forever and ever England shall honor her 

As first of her fair-haired, fond-loved myriads 

Of beautiful maidens, mothers and daughters 

And sisters of heroes : the sweet-toned harp, 

Joy-wood beloved, long shall continue 

To sing her glory in saga and story. 

Lovely, illustrious lady Rowena, 

Leading the line of beloved, winsome 

Women of England, elf-brightest, purest 

Of mothers and maidens that men ever sought for 

Or earls ever fought for ; then ever-beloved 

Hilda the holy, handmaid of Heaven, 

Eminent virgin ; Ethelfleda 

Lady of Mercia, mighty, fearless. 

Queenly, kingly, conquering heroine. 

Sister and daughter and darling of heroes 

And known of all England ; the excellent folk-lady, 

Godiva the gracious, glory-encircled 

And honored forever, who, to aid her dear liegemen, 

With body all bare (but her bountiful hair 

As a robe fell around her) rode through the borough, 

While her leal, true-hearted troopers and thanemen 

Hid in their houses with hearts that were thankful, 

Shunning to shame her ; the sheen-bright twain 



The Lady Roweiia. 23 

Edith entitled, each famous in 

Legend and lay of lands numberless, 

High-hearted, sweet-mooded, song-famous maidens. 

Honored of England. Not e'er hath been told me 

Of any more goodly and gracious in spirit, 

More eminent folk-queen, than Edith the gold-adorned 

Peace-weaver pure, who passed the wild-dashing 

Ocean-ways angry to Otto the mighty's 

Spacious dominions, splendid and far-famed. 

Where, gleaming with jewels, the gem-brilliant maiden, 

Sweetest of virgins, sister of Athelstan, 

Was Otto the atheling's honored, distinguished. 

Dear-loved wife, till death departed them. 

Till she laid down her life-joys. Then the Lord's dear 

virgin, 
Edith the pure, angel-white, holy 
Handmaid of Heaven, whose heart in her childhood 
Turned from the tawdry trifles and honors 
Of rank and of riches, resting, abiding 
In God and His glory ; gladly forsaking 
The wealth and the worship of a well-loved daughter 
Of an earthly king, to earn the proud title 
Of a child of God, great, almighty 
Ruler of heaven. — Hengist discoursed, then ; 
The crafty, cunning, clever war-hero. 
Earl of the Anglians, opened his word-treasure. 
Spake to the king then : '' Come now, I beg thee. 
Lord of the Kentmen ; look with thine eyes on the 
Beauteous buildings and brave liegemen-thanes 
Of Hengist and Horsa. High heavenward 



24 Old English Idyls. 

We have builded a beauteous beer-hall and palace, 

Of halls handsomest heroes e'er revel in, 

Splendid, spacious, sparkling with rarest 

Jewels and gems, joy-hall of heroes ; 

Come thou and see it." Soon, then, Vortigern, 

Folk-lord of Albion, fared with the hero 

O'er the waters of Wantsum to the wassailing-building. 

Mead-hall resplendent : men of that era 

Not ever had seen, nor even had heard of 

Hall-building grander. Glad was Hengist, 

The artful and eager earl of the mainland 

Was merry in mood, then ; he minded to win him 

No little of land from the lecherous, treacherous 

King of the Kentmen. The clever, eagle-eyed 

Earlmen of Thanet, thanemen of Hengist, 

Watched the two folk-lords ; well might they reckon 

That Hengist and Horsa and heroes that gladly 

Served them as liegemen not long would content them 

With land on the island out in the waters, 

But early would ask for acres unnumbered 

And Kent as a kingdom. Came, then, the twain, 

Hengist and Vortigern, the hall-building seeking, 

Joy of the Jutemen. Jewel-bedighted, 

Gold-adorned, gleaming, the glorious building, 

Hall of good heroes, high in the ether rose 

Spacious and splendid, sparkling, glimmering 

Wide o'er the water-ways. Well 't was builded, 

Fastened most firmly. Folk of that era 

Not e'er had beheld, not ever had heard of 

Building so beautiful, beer-hall and palace 



The Lady Roivcna. 25 

So high under heaven. Hugely 't was fashioned ; 

Sturdy and stout it stood in the borough 

DeHghtsome to hegemen ; late and early the 

Thanemen of Thanet thither did hie them 

For gifts and for glee. Glad, bright-hearted, 

Feasted the earlmen : ale-vessels clattered, 

Beer was abundant ; blithe were the heroes. 

Sorrow they knew not. — Ne'er had Vortigern 

In all of Albion, in east or in west. 

In north or in south, seen or heard tell of 

Mead-hall so mighty. The muscle and skill 

And brawn of great builders had bravely, stoutly 

Fashioned and finished it, fairest, strongest of 

Halls under heaven. Hengist and Vortigern 

Entered then in ; up on the dais 

Side by side, then, sat the two folk-lords, 

Land-rulers friendly. Faithful they yet were 

Each to the other : what after should happen 

Only Wyrd the wise wist in her counsels ; 

She told it to none. Troopers of Hengist, 

Dearest of hearth-friends, hastened to benchward : 

Lief and loyal liegemen and vassals 

Of the far-famed, eminent folk-lord of Thanet 

Bent to the benches ; beakers clanged, then, 

Platters clattered, crackled and rattled, 

The hall resounded ; heroes a-laughing 

Drained, then, their beakers. Boastingly, Hengist, 

Lord of the island, opened his word-hoard, 

Spake after custom : " Kinsmen, liegemen, 

Thanemen of Thanet, thanks offer I 



26 Old Eiiglish Idyls. 

Odin and Thor for all they have granted 
Me and the heroes that hither followed me 
O'er the waves westward. Well I remember 
The days of my youth : no yoiinker on earth was 
More daring and doughty. Down from the north 
O'er the seas sailed I southward, westward, 
Greedy of glory ; greatly I thirsted 
For fame 'mid the races. My father gave me then 
Homeralaf, handsome, splendid old 
Ring-sword radiant, richest of weapons, 
Hugest and heaviest of hand-works of giants 
Of ages of yore. I easily brandished it. 
Fame-deeds performing, fought as a hero in 
Many a far-land. Men of the southland 
Often did seek to seize, grapple my 
Far-famous weapon : I fiercely resisted them. 
And dealt them their death-blows. I dared as a strip- 
ling on 
Countless adventures. Vortigern, the Kentman, 
Heard of my fame in his far-away island 
Off in the ocean : the excellent folk-lord 
Was glad when he saw me sail to his land 
To fight with his foemen. I have fought with the dreaded, 
Hated and horrible hordes that are pouring in 
Down from the north, the numberless, slumberless. 
Pitiless Picts, painted demon-like. 
And the merciless Scots : we merrily scattered them 
Back to their caverns. I carved, slivered them 
With Homeralaf : he helped me cheerfully. 
Brave-hearted battle-sword." The boasting of Hengist 



The Lady Rowcna, 27 

Pleased the good earlmen ; exiiltingly laughed they, 

Their shields shaking, shouted sonorously ; 

They loved the good leader who had led them to battle 

O'er land and o'er sea, and said to each other 

That neither south nor north, in the circuit of waters. 

Was there better or braver battle-folk leader 

Than Hengist, earth-famous ocean-king, land-chief, 

Ruler of races. I rarely have heard of 

Gifts goodlier given by liegelord 

To excellent earlmen 'neath arch of the heavens 

Than Hengist the good one gave to his earls in the 

Banqueting-building. The bountiful liegelord. 

Mighty men-ruler, commanded his thanes, then. 

Jewels to fetch there, gems in abundance, 

The red-gold ring, the radiant, glittering 

Collar and bracelet ; and for battle-equipments 

The burnished and beautiful byrnie and helmet 

And chased-handle chain-sword, choicest of weapons. 

Fain and freely, the folk-lord of Thanet 

Lavished his gifts on liegemen and kinsmen 

With abundance of bounty : the brave-hearted earl was 

Beloved of his thanemen. The lord of the Kentmen 

Was meetly remembered, as men of that day were 

Mindful of etiquette. The island-chief bade them, 

Brave battle-leader, bear to king Vortigern 

The gold-twisted torque he had torn from the neck of a 

Prince of the Picts that he pierced in the battle 

And slivered in slices. Soon, the bright-gleaming. 

Radiant, wreathed, rich-carved jewel 

His neck encircled : serpents of gold 



28 Old English Idyls. 

Clasped the bright collar. — Then the queenly Rowena 

Entered the building : the elf-lovely maiden 

Glittered and glimmered with gold-work resplendent 

And rings the richest, and her robe sparkled with 

Gems and jewels. Joyously, hero-thanes 

Marked the dear maiden, as, mindful of etiquette, 

On to the dais the daughter of Hengist 

Stately proceeded, stood near her father. 

Dearest of daughters. The decorous-mooded, 

Beautiful virgin bore in her hand, then. 

The choicest of chalices, chased, embellished 

With gravings of gold, goodly and precious 

Heirloom of ages, all over engraven with 

Writings of rune, radiant, sheen-bright 

Ale-cup of old. The excellent maiden. 

Most lovely of ladies, her lip-treasure opened, 

Spake with decorum : " Quaff this beaker. 

Leader beloved, liegelord, chieftain 

Of battle-thanes brave. Be thou forever 

Honored of earthmen while ocean surroundeth 

The blustering bluffs." The beaker he took, then, 

Far-famous hero, held to his lips 

And lustily drank of the luscious and mellow. 

Honey-sweet liquor ; handed the bumper, then. 

Back to the maiden, the mead-cup of heroes 

Again to the gold-adorned, gracious, beloved 

Lady Rowena. Went she, anon, 

Where the excellent-mooded earlmen of Hengist, 

Kinsmen-comrades, were quaffing joyously 

Bumpers and beakers, bare the bright cup to 



The Lady Rowena. 29 

All the clear earlmen elder and younger, 

Greater and lesser, graciously tendered it 

To one and to all : they each tasted, then. 

Drank of the mead-cup. The dear-loved lady, 

Fair maid of Anglia, early proceeded, 

Stately advanced, where Vortigern ogling her 

Sat on the dais, said to the folk-king, 

*'Wes hael, O King! " handed the cup to 

The liegelord of Albion : answered the Kentman, 

'' Drinc hael, drinc hael," and heartily drank of 

The luscious, delicious, liquor of heroes 

That frothy and flaky foamed in the silvery. 

Beautiful beaker. The bowl quaffed he. 

And kissed the most comely, queenly of maidens, 

The lovely, illustrious lady Rowena, 

Would fain possess the fair-haired, sweet-mouthed, 

Dear-loved damsel, daughter of Hengist, 

Not long to delay (he little remembered 

The wife he was wedded to), wished not to tarry. 

Longed for the lady, lecherous, treacherous 

Beast-king of Kentmen. Crafty, artful, 

Hengist of Anglia, eagle-eyed folk-leader, 

Laughed in his spirit : he sped well 'in the 

Snare he had set for the simple, lecherous 

Lord of the Kentmen. He looked at the king, then. 

Beer-fuddled, simpering, saw how he ogled the 

Sweetest of maidens. Said, then, Hengist 

Wihtgils's son (war-heroes hearkened. 

Liegemen-thanes listened) : '' Lord of the Kentmen, 

Good king Vortigern, the kissing of maidens 



30 Old English Idyls. 

Is a crime in the lands that he o'er the waters, 

Off to the east of you. Earls of the mainland 

Might mulct thee heavily, save haply the honor 

Of kissing a king should count as atoning 

For lapse in the law. The lady Rowena 

Shall early be off to her own dear fatherland. 

Far o'er the flood-deeps, where folk-law shieldeth her 

From high and from low." Loud, vehemently. 

The king of the Kentmen cried, then, to Hengist 

(Eager his love was) : '' Earl of the Saxons, 

Give me the gracious, goodly, beautiful 

Rowena to wife ; and I well will requite thee, 

Liegelord of Thanet. There are left me a-many 

Other good islands off in the waters 

For excellent earlmen." Answered, then, Hengist, 

Artful, crafty one : '' Nay, / will not barter 

My heart's dear jewel for hundreds of islands 

Off in the waters. My word hath been given 

A prince of the Frisians, a folk-lord eminent. 

Who hath wished her to wife as a weaver-of-peace 

'Twixt Frisians and Anglians. My honor is plighted, 

I swore on my sword." So spake Hengist, then, 

Most artful of athelihgs : eager, vehement 

Vortigern cried then : '' Kent is the fairest 

Of lands under heaven. Let the dear maiden. 

Gracious, winsome, gladden and cheer me 

As my beauteous bride, and I blithely will grant thee 

This kingdom and country to keep and govern 

Forever and ever : aid me in holding 

What yet shall remain to me." Yelled, then, Hengist 



The Lady Roiucna. ■ 31 

(The guest-building groaned) : '' Good is the promise, 

Take care that thou keep it. Kent, then, is mine, now, 

To have and to hold. Haste with the maiden 

West over Wantsum : my word hath been given, 

Freya hath heard me. I will help thee to conquer 

Thy fell-mooded foemen." Forth, quickly then 

Vortigern led the virgin beloved. 

The peerless, precious princess Rowena, 

Delayed not nor lingered : his love was so eager 

He cared not for kingdoms. The carles of the Anglians 

Reveled in riot, carousing, shouting. 

Bellowed like oxen while bucklers and lances 

Were banging and clanging. A brave battle-thane 

Who sat at the feet of the folk-lord of Thanet 

Held in his hand a horn brimming with 

Earl- cheering ale, urged the dear heroes 

To hearken and hear him : " Health to the mighty 

Odin and Thor and all the good gods that 

Help the brave hero ; and health, wealth to the 

Great-grandson of Odin, eminent, far-famous 

Hengist of Kentland." Cups, bumpers were 

Drained to the drop. They drank lustily. 

Shouting gustily : good was the mead, then. 

Heroes were happy. The harp's sweet music. 

Clear song of the singer, swelled to the welkin, 

Joy- wood of heroes. A henchman-minstrel, 

Gleeman of Hengist, heartily sounded his 

Liegelord's praises, as lightly he struck the 

Sweetest of melodies. The mead-building echoed 

With mirth and with music, the merry, melodious 



32 Old English Idyls. 

Lay of the gleeman. Gladly liegemen 

Heard of their folk-lord's far-famous, mighty 

Deeds of renown ; how his name was dreaded 

In all earth-regions, where ocean with billows 

Washes the shingly shores and the edges 

Of lands without number. The lord of the Anglians, 

Hengist the hero, his harp-strings touched, then, 

Glee-wood of heroes ; gay-mooded sang 

In measure and melody. The merry, glad-hearted 

Liegemen of Hengist lifted their voices 

In tumultuous chime, marking the rime 

With clanging and clanking and clatter of lances, 

Brave-hearted thanemen. Blithely sang he. 

The giver of rings gustily chanted. 

Offspring of Odin, eminent folk-leader : 

" Hail, ye good heroes, henchmen, kinsmen. 

Liegemen beloved ! The land of the Kentmen 

Is eager to greet you : go and possess it 

Forever and ever. To Odin and Thor 

And all the good gods that guided us hitherward. 

The thanks of us all ever be rendered, 

Gods of the northland ; but glory forever 

To Homeralaf, beloved, faithful 

Heirloom of ages : / will e'er give him 

Thanks and praises, for he proved in the battle 

Most mighty of helpers. Hear when I tell you 

That 't was my dear sword that safely hath brought us 

Through thick and through thin : thank him forever, 

Best of all battle-swords." The banquet was over, 

Feasting was finished : folk-earls of Thanet 



The Lady Rowena. 33 

Hastened then homeward, the hall-building left, 

Excellent ale-hall. They early were ready 

To cross o'er the current, where Kent in the westward, 

Of lands liefest, longed for good heroes 

To earn and possess her and ever to bless her. 



IV. 

THE DEATH OF HORSA. 

Six-winters' time had the sweet, wavy-haired, 
Curly-locked queen of Kent-land and Albion 
Delighted her lord, lived with decorum 
As wife of his bosom. War-mooded men, then, 
Hot-hearted Kentmen, harassed the spirit 
Of Rowena the winsome, well-loved, far-famed 
Queen of the Kentmen ; cruelly vexed her, 
Said she had marred the metal and valor 
Of the king of the Kentishmen ; counselling Vortigern, 
Urged that the excellent earls of the mainland, 
Hengist and Horsa and henchmen unnumbered. 
Be driven away to their wild, desolate 
Dens o'er the ocean. Earls of the Kentmen, 
Thanemen of Albion, angrily said 
That the men of the Saxons minded to seize the 
Whole of Albion, to own and to hold it 
Forever and ever. Oft, liegemen-thanes. 
Vassals of Vortigern, with vehemence cried : 
'^ The Scots and the Picts, scathers and foemen 
Loathsome, horrible, are less to be dreaded 
Than the artful, eager, ever-encroaching 
Sons of the Saxons, the savage, grasping 
Henchmen of Hengist, who hither came over 

34 



The Death of Horsa. 35 

As friends and defenders, but foully have proved them 

Treacherous traitors." They taunted the king, 

Said that he loved the lady Rowena's 

Outlandish kin, caring but little 

For folk of his own. Early anon, then, 

They chose as the king of Kent-land and Albion 

The atheling Vortimer, Vortigern's son. 

Wolf of the Kentmen. Wild, fierce-mooded. 

Hot-hearted, cruel, the homes of the Anglians 

He ruthlessly ravaged, rashing and lashing 

The liegemen of Hengist, harried them fiercely, 

Hacking, hewing them, hotly pursuing them. 

Proudest of princes : at the play of the edges, 

The meeting of spears, he spared few of them. 

Doughtiest, mightiest man of that kindred. 

Folk-leader fearless. Four great battles 

He fought with the foreigners ; would fain drive them 

from 
Albion's isle and east o'er the flood-deeps, 
Back to the lands they had left on the mainland. 
O'er the home of the whale. Horsa was doomed, then, 
Though brave in the battle, brother of Hengist ; 
He had lived the life-days' limit that Wyrd, 
Spinster of fate, had spun for that hero. 
Must bow in the battle. Bloody the field was. 
Of fights fiercest : the flower of warriors 
Fighting fell foremost. On the field of Aylesford, 
Was bitterly fought the fiercest of hand-fights 
The earlmen of Vortimer ever did wage with 
Athelings of Anglia : then exulted the raven ; 



36 Old English Idyls. 

That battle-grim bird was blither on that day 

Than ever before. The eagle was gladder, 

The wolf merrier than for many a summer : 

On the slain seized they, supping, lapping 

The blood of the brave, biting, mouthing 

The flesh of the fallen. The field of Aylesford 

Reeked with the blood of the best of the heroes, 

A river of red ; ruthless, woful 

And sudden the slaughter of sons of athelings. 

Bitter the battle. Braver heroes. 

Worthier war-smiths, ne'er went under helmet 

The foeman to face. Far-famed Hengist 

And Horsa his brother were hot for the battle, 

Woden's great-grandsons were greedy of slaughter, 

Mighty, raging, were racing and chasing 

Earlmen of Albion ; eager for conflict, 

The excellent athelings would unaided, single 

On the field find then a folk-lord of Albion, 

Would gash him and slash him, slit him in slivers. 

And call to the raven to come to the revel 

With the wolf of the forest. Fierce-mooded Horsa, 

Wihtgils's son, soon grappled with 

The brave Catigern, brother of Vortimer, 

Prince of the Kentmen. Proudly Horsa, then. 

Sought for the struggle, said defiantly 

Lifting his linden-shield : '' I am liegeman-kinsman 

Of Hengist the hero ; Horsa my name is, 

As well thou wottest. Would I might spare thee 

The swipe of my sword as I swing it in battle : 

For Rowena's dear sake I 'd willingly grant thee 



The Death of Horsa. 37 

Thy life-joys longer." Loudly Catigern, 

His shield shaking, shouted to Horsa : 

" I ask thee no odds ; on to the battle, 

Horsa the Saxon. The sons of Vortigern 

Have sworn by their sword-blades to sleep not, slumber 

not, 
Till the tricky, treacherous troopers of Hengist 
Are out on the ocean and off to their far-away 
Cliffs and caverns. Come now and let me 
Hurl thee to hellward." Horsa stepped forward. 
The angry, earnest earl of the Anglians 
Brooked no delay : bitter, implacable. 
Frantic his mood was. Forward he stepped, then, 
Hot 'neath his helmet. High o'er his visor 
The boar-image glistened ; the good, trusty 
Beast of the battle bravely guarded the 
Head of the hero. His harness did sparkle. 
His bright-shining battle-sark brilliantly glittered and 
Shone with its sheen. From its sheath forth, then, 
Flashed Felalaf, faithful, dauntless 
Brand of the hero, hankered for battle. 
Was eager to bite through the bone of the hateful 
Foeman of Horsa, freely would drink of 
The blood of the Welshman. Brightly glimmered he. 
Old, iron-made heirloom and jewel 
Of Wihtgils's son, sword of the ancients. 
Handwork of giants. The hot-mooded, fire-breathing 
Horsa and Catigern clashed in the battle. 
Lashing and slashing with sword-blades that rattled ; 
Fierce was their fury. Fire, then, glimmered, 



38 Old English Idyls, 

Sword-sparks bright brilliantly shimmered ; 

Felalaf's eye flashed in his wrath, then, 

Brave-hearted battle-sword. Bitterly fought the two 

High-hearted heroes ; I have heard never of 

Earls angrier, eagerer to grapple 

Each other in battle, uncle and stepson 

Of lady Rowena : woe was her spirit. 

Laughed she but little, when she learned eftsoones 

Of that dreadful, direful, death-dealing struggle 

'Twixt Saxon and Celt ; herseemed that her heart would 

Burst in her bosom. Bold-mooded Catigern 

Was stout striking then, stood in the combat 

More firmly far than his father had ever 

Told him or taught him, turned not away 

To flee from the foeman, foined with his war-blade 

Eagerly, angrily. The excellent Horsa 

Asked for no odds ; his edges mighty were, 

Keen were his cuts. Catigern had perished, 

Liegeman of Vortimer, alone in that struggle, 

Had not Wyrd the wise willed and determined 

That both of the brave ones should bow in the battle, 

Fall on the field : folk-troops and races 

Bend to her bidding. The bold giants, then. 

Together did grapple ; gory the field was, 

Red like a river. Rapidly whirled they 

Blows on each other in onset of battle till 

The brand of each earlman bit through his foeman 's 

Armor of iron and in to his bone-house 

Dived down deeply, drank of his life-stream, 

Blood-thirsty battle-blade. Both the good heroes 



The Death of Horsa. 39 

Fell to the earth, then ; not either could longer 

Live in his life-joys, must lie prone there 

Shorn of his war-strength, sharing no more 

The hall-glee of heroes, hearing no longer 

The song of the singer as he sang, chanted 

Of earlmen of old : off on their journey 

Went the two warriors. Woful of mood, 

Sad, heart-weary, was Hengist the atheling. 

When he learned that his brother was biting the dust and 

Lifeless was lying low on the battle-field. 

Parted from earth-joys. The prince of the Anglians 

Was woful of spirit, wide-famous leader : 

He bent o'er his brother's bloody, lifeless 

Soul-house forsaken, said mournfully 

In rhythmical measures, lamenting and praising : 

'' Dead is Horsa, my dear-loved brother. 

Eminent atheling. Not e'er under heaven 

Was hero more hardy. The hand is now lifeless 

That erstwhile did aid me in all my adventures 

Afar and anear. There was never faithfuler, 

Loyaler liegeman, liefest of comrades. 

True-hearted counsellor, trusty adviser. 

Shoulder-companion. We played in our boyhood 

As fond-loving brothers in the far-away, sea-girdled 

Land of our fathers. Alas ! no more 

Shall the hero behold it. Let henchmen lovingly 

Lift the brave earl up from his slaughter-bed : 

Let the bier be brought, and bear him from henceward 

Off to his burning ; let brave ones attend him 

Hence to Valhalla. Hither summon ye 



40 Old English Idyls. 

Harfeax the gleeman to rehearse the all-glorious 
Deeds of the dead." 'Twas done as he bade them 
And early thereafter the excellent minstrel, 
The singer of Hengist, sought his dear liegelord, 
Saw him then sadly sobbing, groaning, 
Mourning and moaning, lamentingly bewailing 
The fall of his famous, fond-loved brother, 
Hengist for Horsa. His heart bitterly 
Ached as he looked at the beloved, faithful 
Hero and leader, as he lay so helpless. 
Lying so lifeless, loosened from earth-joys. 
Reft of his war-strength : I wot he had rarely 
So slept like a sluggard. Sad-hearted, mournful 
Was the thaneman-harper ; he thought tenderly 
Of far-away fatherland, how a fair, beautiful 
Boy in the borough was brave, yet gentle. 
Meek and yet manly. Mourned he for Horsa, 
Well-loved warrior. The woe-mooded scop, 
Harfeax, the heart-weary harper and minstrel, 
Wakened the chords, calling forth music 
Sad yet triumphant, would sing the story 
Of Horsa and his glory. The good old minstrel 
Touched then his strings with tremulous, quivering 
Fingers that faltered, fondly lamenting : 
'' Low lies Horsa, beloved, dauntless 
Offspring of Wihtgils, my excellent, well-loved 
Liegelord of yore. I yet can remember 
Those long-gone days in the land of my fathers 
And home of great heroes. Happy, joyous 
Were Wihtgils's earlmen ; the ale-building mighty 



The Death of Horsa. 41 

Was thronged with thanemen ; thousands of jewels 

Glistened and glittered. Good was the liegelord, 

Niggardly never. It is known of all races 

How bairns of his body were born in his manor, 

Hengist and Horsa, handsome, beloved, 

Beautiful boys. Blessed be Odin 

That / was ever an honored and welcome 

Guest in that gift-hall ! Goodly, noble. 

The beautiful bairns burst into manhood 

Soon on my sight ; I saw them before me, 

A pair of great princes. I am pained, woe-stricken 

That one of them lieth lifeless, unwarlike, 

Down in the dust, dead in his armor, 

Shorn of his hand-strength. A handsome, fair-haired. 

Beautiful boy was the brave young Horsa, 

Stately of stature, straight as an ash-spear. 

Manly of mien, yet meek in his spirit. 

Tender and true. He turned unto warfare 

Early in youth ; his excellent father 

Let his brave earlmen take him off on the seas 

To the northward and southward. None was hardier. 

More dauntless, intrepid. The two great brothers 

Filled with their fame the fjords and the rivers 

And oceans and seas ; and all of the northland 

Rang with their deeds, and the deeps did resound 

With the praise of their prowess. Prone in the dust now 

The dear one is lying : dead is Horsa, 

Our fond-loved friend-lord : Fate hath offsnatched him, 

Wyrd is supreme. I ween, friends will soon 

Build him a barrow broad, uptowering. 



42 Old English Idyls. 

High under heaven, as heroes and leaders 

Are wont to enjoy. Well merits he 

That forever and ever honor be paid him 

'Mid all the races that ocean encircleth 

As he kisseth the cliffs : come, hero-thanes, 

Lift the dear liegelord." The lay then was ended, 

Sad yet triumphant song of the gleeman. 

Mood-weary minstrel. Men of the Anglians 

Brought, then, the bier, bare the dear hero, 

Atheling of earlmen, off from the field 

Where low he was lying. They looked on him tenderl) 

(Sad were their spirits) ; he saw not the good ones. 

Gave them no answer to all they were saying^ 

Of him so kindly. They quickly lifted him. 

And laid him away where the wolf and the raven 

And the dewy-winged eagle not ever might touch him. 

Where birds of the battle and beasts of the carnage 

Might never annoy him, noble, distinguished 

Earlman, atheling. The excellent hero 

Must climb on the pyre to the clutch of the fire, 

Must hence to Valhalla. Henchmen-kinsmen 

Of the battle-famed brothers would burn the good hero. 

Give to the flame the famed, eminent 

Kinsman of Hengist ; high on his pyre 

Would aloft lift then their liegelord-chieftain, 

The man so lamented. Many good earlmen 

Fetched for the fire fagots and twigs 

And logs of the largest, laid them together 

High 'neath the welkin : the wood-heap was early 

Built for the burning. There were brought thitherward, 



The Death of Horsa. 43 

On the heap hung then, helmets, byrnies, 

Arms and armor and all such war-gear 

As their lord when alive delighted to gaze on, 

Or bear to the battle. Beautiful gems, 

Of rings richest and rarest of treasures, 

Were flung on the fire : the flame devoured them. 

Ate them greedily, gulping, swallowing them. 

Hungriest of heroes. Henchmen-kinsmen 

Of Wihtgils's bairn brought his good charger, 

The horse of the hero : the high-bred steed 

Was led to the pyre and laid thereon then 

To burn with the brave one. Bright were his trappings, 

Gleaming, golden ; the gear of the war-horse 

Was shining, sheen, would shame not his rider when 

In the halls of Valhalla the hero all-mounted 

Passed to his place in the palace of Odin. 

Two well-loved kinsmen, Wiglaf and Guthmond, 

Mindful of duty, mounted the fire 

To go with the atheling off on his journey 

To Valhalla on high : the horse he would ride on 

(The kinsmen were comrades) when he came in his glory 

To the heaven of heroes. Heart-weary thanes, 

Wailing, disconsolate kinsmen and vassals 

Of Hengist and Horsa, hymning their sorrows, 

In mournful measures lamented their leader. 

In rhythm and rime : " Red is the fire, 

Bitter the bite of the blaze as it burneth, 

And the flame as it fluttereth. Fare thee well, Horsa, 

Leader of liegemen, beloved, lamented 

Earl of the Anglians. Honor attend thee 



44 Old English Idyls. 

In Valhalla, the heaven of heroes and warriors 

And all good athelings. Thy earlmen will ever 

Remember thy mighty muscle and valor 

And deeds of great daring. Dear-loved Horsa, 

Ride thou in splendor the spacious, lofty 

Halls of Valhalla. Here, soon will we 

Build thee a barrow, a broad-fashioned, high-towering 

Memory-mound, that men of all eras 

Ever may honor the excellent name 

And far-reaching fame of the faithful, dauntless 

Liegelord and leader, beloved, trusty 

Brother of Hengist." The burning was over, 

The flame flickered, flaring but little, 

All in ashes the atheling Horsa 

And battle-steed brave ; burnt, molten, then. 

Were treasures and gems. The troopers of Hengist 

Delayed not long, liegemen bereaved, 

A-building the barrow ; battle-thanes reared it 

High under heaven on hill-top alofty 

Nigh unto Aylesford. With earth and with rock 

They sadly, proudly piled it heavenward. 

Mournful, exultant, till upward there rose a 

Memorial mound-hill, to mark and to honor 

The passing of Horsa, prince of the vikings, 

Who had laid down his life for liegemen and kinsmen. 

They with flint faced it, that, firm on the summit, 

It stout and strong might stand on the hill-top 

For ever and aye. The excellent heroes 

Wished then but little the waters of heaven. 

Whether rippling in rain or rushing in rivers. 



The Death of Horsa. 45 

Should wash away ever the well-loved atheling's 
Broad-stretching barrow : they built it so firmly, 
With stones stayed it, to stand there forever 
As a memory-mark to the man who had gladly 
Laid down his life that his liegemen-kinsmen 
Might have and might hold the homesteads and land- 
rights 
The gods had given them. Goodly, lofty 
The barrow uprose, ready to hold the 
Atheling's dear ashes ; up tow'rds the welkin 
The hill-mound of heroes a-high towered then, 
That farers from far-lands might fail not to know it 
As Horsa the hero's high-rising, spacious 
Memory-mound. A many of jewels 
Bright and beautiful, bracelets, collars. 
Brooches and rings, richest of treasures. 
Were brought to the barrow. The bright-shining helm, 
Armor of iron and all good weapons. 
Swords and lances, that liegemen and heroes 
Love in their life-days were laid in the mound-hill 
With atheling Horsa's ashes and bones. 
His troopers twain, and the trusty, faithful 
Horse of the hero. Valhalla received them 
Early thereafter : they entered proudly 
The spacious and splendid expanses that span the 
Halls of Valhalla. Then the heart-wretched troopers. 
Mourning shield-bearers, mounted their steeds 
And rode round the broad-stretching barrow of Horsa 
Sadly, slowly ; singing his praises 
Mournfully in measure ; remembering with pleasure 



46 Old English Idyls. 

His deeds of daring, his dauntless, fearless, 

Adventuresome valor ; vowing and declaring 

That, through all the ages, forever and ever. 

Their children's children should cherish and honor 

His name and fame, never forgetting 

How Horsa with Hengist hither had led them 

To the isle of Albion, ever-beloved. 

Peerless and precious pearl of the ocean ; 

How, to win for his folk this fairest of islands. 

This sea-encircled, sweetest of places. 

He sought and fought the fiercest and bravest 

Of all men of Albion, and eagerly hastened 

To lay down his life for land-folk and kindred. 



V. 

CERDIC AND ARTHUR. 

Hengist went off to All-Father's keeping, 

Wihtgils's son, to the Wielder's protection, 

Earl of the Anglians. From the east came, then, 

Cerdic the Saxon a seven-year thereafter ; 

The excellent atheling, offspring of Woden 

Came into Albion. His own dear land 

Lay off to the eastward out o'er the sea-ways, 

Far o'er the flood-deeps. His fair-haired, eagle-eyed 

Liegeman and son sailed westwardly, 

O'er the flint-gray floods, with his father and liegelord, 

O'er the dashing, lashing, dark-flowing currents 

That roll and roar, rumble, grumble 

Eastward of Albion. Not e'er hath been told me 

Of sea-goers twain trustier, doughtier 

Than Cerdic and Cynric, who sailed o'er the waters 

Valiant, invincible vikings and sea-dogs 

Seeking adventure. Swift westwardly. 

O'er the fallow floods, fared they to Albion, 

Would look for the land that liegemen-kinsmen 

Of Hengist and Horsa and high-mooded Aella 

And Cissa had come to. Cerdic was mighty, 

Earl of the Saxons. His excellent barks, 

His five good floats, fanned by the breezes. 

47 



48 Old English Idyls. 

Gliding the waters were wafted to Albion, 

Ocean-encircled isle of the sea-waves, 

Delightsomest of lands. Lay then at anchor 

The five good keels close to the sea-shore ; 

The swans of the sea sat on the water 

Close by the cliff-edge. The clever folk-leader 

Was boastful and blithesome, brave-mooded Saxon, 

Said to his earlmen : '' Excellent thanes 

True-hearted, trusty table-companions, 

See the good land the loving, generous 

Gods have given you : go, seize on it. 

I and my son have sailed westwardly. 

To gain with our swords such goodly possessions 

As Hengist and Aella did erstwhile win 

On the island of Albion. On to the battle. 

The foe confronteth us." Folk of the island, 

Earlmen of Albion, angry-mooded, then. 

Stood stoutly there, striving to hurl them 

Off in the ocean east to the mainland. 

Back o'er the billows. Bravely Albion's 

Fearless defenders fought with the stranger 

Then and thereafter : early did Cerdic 

See and declare that slowly, bloodily. 

And foot by foot, must the folk of the Saxons 

Tear from the Welsh their well-loved, blithesome, 

Beautiful fatherland. Brave were the men that 

So long could repel the puissant, fearless 

Sons of the Saxons that had sailed o'er the oceans 

To do or to die, doughty, invincible 

Earls of the east. The excellent kinsmen, 



Cerdic and Arthtir. 49 

Father and son, scions of Woden, 

Burned in their spirit to build in the south the 

Greatest of kingdoms : 'twas granted to Cerdic 

To be first of the famous folk-lords of Wessex, 

Land-chiefs beloved ; to lead, herald the 

World-famous roll of the wise, eminent 

Athelings of Wessex, where Egbert and I^thelwulf, 

Alfred and Edward, ever resplendently. 

Spaciously shine, shepherds of peoples. 

Excellent athelings, and Athelstan, Godwin 

And Harold the hero, helms of the Saxons, 

Have their names written in record of glory 

In legend and story, leaving their fame as an 

Honor forever to England, peerless 

Mother of heroes. — The men of the east 

Slowly, bloodily builded a kingdom 

Where Aesc and Aella not e'er had been able 

To bear their banners, though both these athelings 

Were in might marvellous, mood-brave, heroic 

Leaders of liegemen. — Beloved of the Welsh 

Was the atheling Arthur, excellent, valiant 

Lord of the Silurians, land-prince, warrior 

Famed 'mid the races. He rued bitterly 

That father and son, Saxon invaders, 

To the left and the right were wresting, tearing 

From races no few their fond-loved, blood-bought 

Homesteads and manors, were hacking and sacking 

Folk of the southland, and far westwardly 

Had bitterly banished the best of the heroes 

And earlmen of Albion. Arthur was mighty, 



50 Old English Idyls. 

Uther Pendragon's offspring beloved, 

His fame far-reaching. Afar and an ear then, 

All men of Albion honored and loved him ; 

Sent over Severn beseeching the mighty 

Silurian leader no longer to tarry 

In crushing the foemen, but quickly to drive them 

Back to their bottomless bogs in the eastward 

O'er the rime-cold sea ; said wailingly : 

*' The fierce, pitiless folk of the eastward. 

Mighty, remorseless men of the waters. 

Treacherous, terrible, will take speedily 

Our name and nation, and naught will be left us 

But to dare and to die," The doughty, invincible 

Atheling Arthur, earl of Siluria, 

Offspring of Uther, early was ready ; 

Feared not, failed not, fared on his journey 

Seeking for Cerdic. Severn's waters 

Saw him and laughed, little expecting 

That Arthur the king and the excellent knights 

Of the Table Round, with troopers a-many. 

Would suffer the foemen to seize and possess the 

Lands of Siluria, would let the remorseless. 

Implacable, pitiless pagan and heathen 

Sail over Severn ; not soon did it happen 

While Arthur the atheling his earth-joys tasted 

Here under heaven. That hero was brave. 

Great, all-glorious : God fought for him : 

Nor Cerdic nor Cynric could soon injure that 

Hero of Heaven ; his horrible destiny 

Wyrd the weaver wove in her eerie. 



Cerdic and ArtJiMr. 51 

Mysterious meshes, mighty, taciturn 

Goddess of gods : she gives whom she will to 

Speed in the battle. Brave-mooded Arthur, 

Offspring of Uther, was eager for glory, 

Peerless of prowess : proudly, dauntlessly 

Fouo:ht he for Albion. Not e'er heard I 

Of better battle-knight, more bold, fearless. 

That sun ever shone on : the sheen of his glory 

With lustre illumined the land where his mother 

Gave birth to the bairn ; and broad, mighty, 

Spacious his fame was ; his splendid achievements 

Were known to all nations. None could e'er dare to 

Cope with that hero, till the conquering, dauntless 

Earl of the Anglians, ever-beloved 

Founder of freedom and father of kings. 

O'er the seas sailing, slowly, bloodily 

Builded the best and broadest of kingdoms 

Heroes e'er heard of. The heart of king Arthur 

Was sad as he saw the Saxon invader 

How, foot by foot, forward, onward, 

He ever proceeded, eastward, westward. 

Far to the north, founding and building 

A kingdom and country to crush and destroy the 

Land that he long had lived for, thought for, 

Fiercely had fought for. Famed was Arthur, 

Wide his renown ; but Wyrd the spinster 

Taketh no heed of hero or craven ; 

Her warp and her woof she weaveth and spinneth 

Unmindful of men. The mighty war-hero, 

Atheling Arthur, set out on his journey. 



52 Old English Idyls. 

Laid clown his life-joys ; the beloved folk-lord's 
Feasting was finished. Unflinching, fearless, 
Doomed unto death, dead on the battle-field 
Fell the brave folk-prince. Foul was the traitor, 
Hated of heroes. The hope of his countrymen 
Sank into darkness ; for dead was Arthur, 
The last and the best and bravest of Albion's 
Athelings of eld. Not ever thereafter 
Could the Welshman withstand the sturdy, mighty 
Tread of the Saxon as tramping, advancing, 
Onward he went, eastward, westward. 
Far to the northward : none withstood him. 
Now Arthur was lifeless ; he alone was able 
To stay for a moment that sturdy, mighty, 
Invincible march. — The valiant, doughty 
Kinsmen of Cerdic, conquering earlmen. 
Forward then bare bravely, unfalt'ringly. 
Daringly, dauntlessly, the dragon of Wessex 
Fuming and flaming ; fearlessly bare it 
Northward, eastward, on to the westward, 
O'er Severn and Thames and Trent and H umber 
And east ocean ward, till all the great races 
Of Albion's isle owned as their liegelords 
The children of Cerdic, sire of kings and 
Founder of freedom. Few among athelings 
Were greater than he, gift-lord eminent, 
Wielder of Wessex ; the wise-mooded, far-seeing. 
Brave-hearted folk-prince builded his kingdom 
As a bulwark of freedom. His brave, high-hearted 
Table-companions, trusty, faithful 



Ccrdic and Artlm7\ 53 

Liegemen and thanes, leaped to his service 

In peace and in war : well did they love him, 

Bowed to his bidding ; blithely followed him 

Where the fight was fiercest ; would fall in the battle 

Gladly, eagerly, excellent heroes, 

Ere they 'd leave their dear lord alone on the battle-field. 

Bearing unaided the onset of foes and 

The brunt of the battle. The brave ones were mindful 

Of the duties of liegemen ; dastardly thought it 

To flee from the field while their fond, loving 

Leader and liegelord lingered thereon 

Dead or alive ; deemed him a nidering 

Who stood not stoutly, sturdily, manfully 

Close to his lord as he led in the battle. 

Facing the foemen. The free-hearted earlmeii 

Minded the days when their dear-honored liegelord 

Feasted the throngs of thanemen-kinsmen 

In the handsomest of halls heroes e'er sat in 

'Neath dome of the w^elkin. Well they remembered 

How their lord lovingly lavished his treasures 

On all earlmen older and younger. 

Greater and lesser : 't were loathsomest treason 

To leave such a lord alone in the battle, 

With a foe facing him. The folk-ruler mighty 

King-like requited them with costliest gems. 

Most bountiful banqueting. The brave-hearted man 

Builded his kingdom, broadly founded it 

Northward, eastward, on to the westward, 

South to the seaward. He said tenderly, 

Cerdic discoursed, king of the Saxons, 



54 Old E7iglish Idyls. 

Father of England : '' Old, hoary is 

Cerdic your king, kinsmen-thanemen. 

Warriors of Wessex. Well have ye served me, 

Ye and your fathers. I yet remember 

How, ere age came on me, I ever was foremost 

In deeds of daring, in doughty achievements. 

In feats of prowess. I fought valiantly 

Alone, unaided, with only my faithful. 

Well-loved sword, and swept away hundreds 

Of earlmen of Albion : now age, ruthless, 

Horrible foe of heroes and warriors. 

Hath marred my might, though my mood is as daring. 

My spirit as stout and sturdy as ever 

In years of my youth. I yearn in my soul, now, 

To cross over Severn and cut into slivers 

The wolf-hearted Welshmen. Well-nigh a forty 

Years in their circuits have seen me a-conquering 

Here under heaven : from hence, early 

I go on my way. Woden will bid me 

To the halls of Valhalla, where heroes will meet me. 

Gladly will seat me 'mid the glory-encircled 

Heroes of heaven. In my heart it pains me 

To feel my war-strength fading and waning 

And ebbing away. Would I might leap now 

Like a king to the battle, not cow-like breathe out my 

Soul in the straw. The son of my bosom, 

Cynric my bairn, bravely will lead you 

When I am no more : he ever hath proved him 

A bold battle-earl. My blade I will give him, 

Sigbrand my sword : he hath served me faithfully 



Cerdic and Arthur, 55 

Sixty of winters : well do I love him, 

Bold-hearted battle-brand." The brave earlmen, then, 

Shouted lustily, loudly commending 

The words of good Cerdic. Cynric they loved, too. 

Son of the hero ; themselves had beheld him 

How valiant, adventurous, invincible, king-like 

He ever had borne him, since erst he landed 

To fight, with his father, the fierce, implacable. 

Wolf-hearted Welshmen : well did they love him, 

And oft on the ale-benches earlmen asserted 

That, when good king Cerdic, gracious, beloved 

Ward of the kingdom, went on his journey. 

Laid down his life-joys, his liegefolk would never 

Find them a folk-lord fonder, truer, 

More honored of all men, than atheling Cynric 

Surely would prove him. Shouted they lustily, 

'' Wes hael, wes hael ! hero of Wessex, 

Cerdic the conqueror," clanging their lances 

And beating their bucklers, bellowed hke oxen, 

Blew in their shields, shouting, yelling 

Glad-hearted, gleefully. The good one discoiu'sed, then, 

Cerdic the king said to his liegemen 

(Henchmen all hearkened) : '' Hear ye, good troopers. 

Of Sigbrand my sword. I said he was trusty. 

And bitter in biting. I brought him to Albion 

Far from the eastward. I fared, long ago. 

East over Elbe and Oder and Weser 

And thence to the northward, never wearying, 

Greedy for glory ; 'mid the Goths found it. 

Old, iron-made, excellent sword-blade, 



56 Old English Idyls. 

Weland his work. Well I remember 
How I heard high-hearted heroes and athelings, 
My true-hearted troopers, tell how a dragon, 
His cave guarding, kept there a treasure 
Age after age ; how earls of the eastward 
Said that Sigbrand, the sword-blade of Hermann, 
Was kept in that cave covered with magic, 
Encircled with sorcery, secretly guarded. 
Bound with enchantments. I boldly adventured 
A grim grapple with that grisly, terrible 
Fire-spewing dragon, to fetch to the westward 
The well-loved, warlike, wide-famous brand 
Of Hermann the hero. I hied o'er the rivers 
And off to the eastward : earls of those lands there 
Laughed when they learned that a lad from the west- 
ward 
Would dare the great dragon that had daunted their 

fathers 
Five hundred winters. I fared eastward then, 
Met with the monster, mightily smote him, 
To earth felled him ; flamings of battle 
Horribly hurled he, hotly he snorted. 
Would seethe me in poison. With the point of my 

blade 
I proudly did prick him. Prone he fell forward. 
Dead lay the dragon. His den was no more 
A horror to heroes; hastened I in, then, 
To joy in the sight of jewels and treasures 
And song-famous swords that had slept on the wall 
there 



Cerdic and ArtJinr, 57 

From earliest eras, edge-keen, famous, 

Magic-encircled swords of the ancients, 

Old-work of giants. With joy, saw I 

World-famous Sigbrand, sword-blade of Hermann, 

Men-leader mighty, matchless battle-knight, 

Hero of Germany. I hastily seized it 

All rusting to ruin ; the rime-carved, ancient 

Sword of the hero was soon hanging then 

Safe at my side : it hath served me faithfully 

Sixty of winters, well-tried, trusty 

Friend-in-the-battle. When I fare, troopers, 

Hence to Valhalla, high-hearted Cynric, 

My fond-loved son, folk-lord of Wessex, 

Will take up the brand borne by his father 

And carve out a kingdom clean to the northward and 

Wide to the westward ; the Welshman will cower 

And shudder and shake, as the shout of the Saxon 

Frightens afresh forest and river 

And meadow and plain. I shall pass on my journey 

Early anon : old and hoary, 

Death will subdue me. Dear young heroes. 

Do as I bid ye. Bear ye onward 

The banner of Wessex. Wyrd will help you 

If doughty your valor. I dare to allege it. 

That the gods have given this goodly, bountiful 

Land of Albion to the liegemen and children 

Of Cerdic the Saxon ; seize, hold to it 

Forever and ever. Ye early will see me 

Lorn of my life-joys, lying un warlike, 

Dead in my armor. I urge you, good heroes. 



58 Old English Idyls. 

To build me a barrow broad-stretching, lofty. 
High on the cliff-edge, that comers from far 
May see it and say that so did Angle-folk 
Honor the atheling that erstwhile led their 
Fathers of old in founding a kingdom." 



VI. 

AUGUSTINE. 

Lo ! we have heard of the holy, beloved, 
Bishop and Father, far-famous Gregory, 
Good, great-hearted, God's dear servant, 
Faithful and far-seeing father and pastor, 
Shepherd of souls, how he saw in the market 
Beautiful, blue-eyed bairns of the Angles 
Selling as slaves. Then sad, groaned he 
When he learned that the land they li\'cd in was given 
Wholly to heathendom, that Heaven's good story, 
The gospel of peace, gracious, joyful 
Message of mercy to men of all races, 
W^as known of not any of all the myriads 
Of fair-haired Anglians in that far-away, sea-girt 
Isle of the ocean. Eagerly Gregory 
Yearned tow'rds the youths : " Yea," said the good one, 
God's dear liegeman, ''go I will early 
To the isle of the Anglians and urge theni to hearken 
The good, peace-bringing gospel of Jesus, 
Saviour of sinners : the souls of the Angles 
Shall shine in my crown when I come into glory 
At the throne of the Lamb, who liveth forever. 
Lord everlasting." Thus the loving, gentle 
Bishop and father felt unto all men 

59 



6o Old English Idyls. 

Here under heaven, his heart mellowed 
With love that was heavenly ; he longed for his Master's 
Kingdom to come 'mid the kindreds and races 
He had died to redeem ; by day and by night, 
Prayed he in faith, with fasting and vigil, 
That, at Jesus' name, every knee might bow 
In heaven and earth and under the earth. 
And every tongue confess that He truly is Lord, 
To the glory of God. The good one minded, 
The Lord's dear liegeman, longed for the journey 
To the far-away land of the lovely, godless 
Youths of the Anglians ; he yearned greatly 
To bear the blessed, beautiful story 
Of Jesus' love to the land of the Angles, 
Heathenish heroes, where the high and the low, 
The king and the churl, called upon Odin 
And Thor and Frea and throngs of beings 
That peopled the air, nor ever heard tell of 
The fond-loving Father that formed them and gave them 
The breath of life, of the loving Jesus 
Who left his celestial, delightsome, perennial 
Home in the heavens, and hither did come 
To bear among men the mocking and taunting. 
The gibes and the jests, of Jews that despitefully 
Scorned and scouted and scoffed him, and nailed him 
Tight to His death, tender, patient 
Saviour of sinners. Sad were the Romans 
When they heard that their gentle, holy apostle 
Would fare to the northward ; they feared they might 
see him 



A ugMstine. 6 1 

Never again going his errands 

Of mercy and peace to men of that city 

That had long loved him. They little would hear of 

His mission o'er sea, mightily urged him 

To leave unto others the errand to Anglia 

While himself should serve his city and nation, 

Rome and Italy, ever-beloved 

Land of his fathers. Loth was Gregory, 

The Lord's dear liegeman, loving apostle. 

To entrust his mission of mercy and pardon 

To any one else of all the brave fathers 

That would go gladly so goodly a journey 

Off to the Anglians. Early thereafter. 

He sent in his stead the saintly Augustine, 

Heaven's dear hermit, who hied to the northward 

With two-score trusty, true-hearted. God-fearing, 

Faithful confessors : they fared gladly, then, 

Northw^ard, westward, never repining 

Though rivers were dashing, fiercely lashing 

Their shingly shores, though shimmering glaciers 

From Alps that were icy angrily thundered 

And rumbled around them. Rome's dear missioners 

Recked not of rivers though rolling in blood-waves. 

Cared not for mountains though covered with ice-robes. 

Fearing no peril pressed on their holy. 

Blessed, joy-bringing journey to Albion, 

To tell the Anglians the ever-enrapturing. 

Heart-stirring story of the holy, divine 

And gentle Jesus who, rejected and slain 

By the men He had come to, commanded His liegemen 



62 Old English Idyls. 

To go forth bearing His gospel to all nien, 

Kindreds and nations. Noble Augustine 

Wished for the wind that would waft him to seaward, 

Northward, westward, o'er the weltering currents. 

The seething surges, safe to the Anglian 

Cliffs oversea. He saw westwardly 

The land that he longed for lying in beauty. 

And waiting to welcome the winsome, blessed 

Message of mercy that the mighty Creator 

Had sent through his mouth to the men of the Angles 

Far to the northward. The foam- throated vessel. 

Lustrous and lovely, lay then at anchor 

Sheen by the shore ; her shimmering canvas 

Was big with the breezes that blew from the heavens. 

Blithely to bear the blessed, faithful 

Sailors of Jesus o'er the sea-deeps westward 

To the isle of the Anglians. The excellent bark. 

Foamy-necked floater, was fain of the journey 

West o'er the waters. The one and forty 

Henchmen of heaven happily clomb then 

The curved-necked craft, cared not to tarry, 

But prayed for the wind to waft them speedily 

O'er the fields of the flood to the far-away, sea-washed 

Land of the Angles, where the low and the high. 

The churl and the king, clad in their darkness. 

Saw not the Father who had formed them, beheld not 

The Son who had saved them. Soon was the bark 

Off on the ocean : eagerly hied she 

To bear the battle-brave bairns and heroes 

Afar to the combat. She fared joyously ; 



Augustine, 63 

Gladly, gleefully glided the waters, 

Skimming the sea-deeps. The svveet-m(X)ded vessel 

Sped with the wind westward to carry 

The joy-bringing news how Jesus the Saviour 

Had come in the east, that all of the blood-thirsty, 

Cruel and ruthless, wrangling, jangling 

Men of all lands might in loving Him 

Love one another. Lightly fleeted she, 

Goodspeed was given her. God-Father bade, then. 

His breezes blow and bear to the Anglians 

Such heart-cheering news as ne'er under heaven 

Those heroes had heard since their heathenish eyes did 

First see the sun swim in the ether, 

First looked on the luminous, lustrous, resplendent 

Orb in his beauty, beaming, gleaming 

Torch of the firmament. The truth is established 

That great, all-glorious God almighty 

Ruleth the races and reigneth forever 

High in the heavens, beholdeth the nations 

As a drop in the bucket, as the dust of the balance. 

Lord everlasting. — Lightly glided, then. 

The keel o'er the currents, her canvas outspreading 

With bellying breezes. The billows were gentle. 

Ocean not angry, not ever would harm 

The Lord's dear vessel as, leaping to westward. 

She bare on her bosom the blessed, holy. 

Gracious Augustine, God's dear liegeman, 

And his forty good thanes, far-sailing, valiant 

Heroes of heaven. Holy Augustine, 

Musing, pondering, marked in his vision 



64 Old English Idyls. 

The cragged cliffs, declivitous nesses, 

That shone and shimmered sheen in the distance, 

Far to the westward : no fuller on earth 

Could add to the whiteness of those high-towering, lofty. 

Heaven-kissing headlands. O'er the holm-currents glided 

The bird of the ocean, bare westwardly 

The forty and one well-equipped, dauntless, 

Eager, excellent earlmen of Heaven, 

Liegemen beloved. They landed eftsoones 

On Thanet's dear isle, where erstwhile the brothers, 

Hengist and Horsa, and heroes a-many. 

Folk-leaders famed, had founded a nation 

Of strength so sturdy as to stand forever 

A bulwark of freedom. The forty-one heroes, 

Conquering combatants, came to the shore, 

Their sea-wood dismounted. Men of the island, 

Gaping, gazing, greedily wondered, 

Musing, marvelling what meaning to see in 

Their errand to Anglia : an earl of the water. 

The guard of the sea-coast, greeted the strangers. 

With questions accosting : '' Comers-from-farlands, 

Earls of the ocean, open your word-hoard. 

Tell me in earnest what errand hath brought you 

O'er the flood-deeps foaming. Folk-troopers like you 

Ne'er have I seen. No swords rune-covered. 

Well-fashioned war-mail, wire-braided helmets, 

No arms nor armor oji you or zvith you 

Have / yet seen. Say now your errand. 

Ye bald-headed ^ battle-thanes. ' ' The blessed Augustine 

1 He did not understand the tonsure. 



Augustine. 65 

Spake with decorum : '' Courteous liegenian, 

Earlman of Ethelbert, I urge thee, hasten, 

Speed then, tarry not, tell good Ethelbert, 

King of the Kentmen, I come with a message 

Promising peace and purest, serenest 

Bliss everlasting to obedient souls, 

A kingdom eternal with the true and living 

God in his glory." The gracious, gentle 

Message so kindly, quickly was borne, then. 

To Ethelbert king of Angles and Kentmen, 

Who musing, pondering, marvelled what answer 

Such message demanded. His men then bade he 

To care for the pilgrims, keep them in honor 

Off on the island. Early anon 

He came forth to meet them ; he minded to greet them 

'Neath the roof of the heavens ; his heart misgave him 

Lest the men of the mainland with magic might harm 

him. 
With sorcery charm him ; his soul not yet was 
Freed from its fetters ; fiends and monsters. 
Demons of darkness, deadly, loathsome. 
Held in their hand-grip the high-mooded, noble 
Ethelbert 's spirit. He afterward knew 
The life-giving Lord, the Light that was given 
To lighten the heathen. — The lord of the Kentmen 
Sat on the sward, safer he deemed it 
From charm and enchantment. He charged his good 

thanes. 
Beloved liegemen, to let not, hinder not. 
But gladly, the rather, to guide the good men where 



66 Old English Idyls. 

Soon they might see him. Swiftly, Hegemen 

Did as he bade them ; dearly, thane-likc, 

Loved they their lord ; leaped they, flew they, 

Obeying his bidding. The brave ones would learn, 

Were eager to know, on what errand, service. 

Mission, message, the men of the southland 

Had come to the Anglians : excellent heroes 

Asked then and urged the earlmen of Gregory 

To come and declare to their king, liegelord. 

What hither had brought them and why they had sought 

them. 
Forthwith then the heroes of heaven were ready. 
Burned for the battle ; boldly, fearlessly 
Leaped into line, longing, thirsting 
To fight with the fiends that fiercely, cruelly 
Held in their chains the children of Hengist 
And all of the Anglians. Armor of iron 
None they needed then ; nothing of sword-kind 
Ringing, swinging, swung from their girdles ; 
Spears they despised. Their spirits a-mighty 
Leaned on the Lord, who had led them thitherward 
To fight not with foes fleshly and earthly. 
But with powers of the air and princes of evil 
That wince not at weapons. There waved not, fluttered 

not 
Banner embossed, emblazoned with glory 
Of earlmen of earth ; but the image of Jesu 
High over head was held for a standard. 
That the forty and one war-heroes dauntless, 
Might look on their Lord, the lowly yet mighty 



Atcgustine. 67 

God-man triumphant ; the grave could not keep him, 
Hell could not hold him. The heroes of Jesus, 
Most eager of earlmen, onward, forward 
Bare then their banner not blazoned with glory 
Of barons of earth, not broidered nor carven 
With far-renowned folk-lord's famous achievements 
And deeds of great daring ; but the dear-loved symbol, 
Emblem of love, was lifted above ; 
Christ on his cross kindly, patiently. 
Gently, lovingly looked down upon them, 
Meekly submitting to mocking, taunting. 
As thirsting, fainting, he was thrust through and ham- 
mered 
Down to his death. He died as a sinner. 
The sinless, holy, suffering victim, 
The just for the unjust, ever-beloved 
Atheling of heaven. — Onward, forward, 
Measuredly marching, the men of the southland 
To the king came then ; the conquering heroes 
Stoutly, staunchly, sturdily hastened 
To grapple the diremooded demons from hell. 
Spirits of evil, that ever possess the 
Lands of the heathen, loathsome and grisly, 
Horrible devils. — Their hymns-for-the-battle, 
Songs and paeans, were sweet-toned litanies. 
Penitent prayers for pardon and mercy 
For themselves and all the Anglian myriads 
Sunk in their sins. Soon came they, then, 
Two-score and one trusty, faithful 
Priests of the Lord-God, praying, chanting 



68 Old English Idyls. 

Hymns unto Heaven : happily saw they 

Excellent Ethelbert, earl of the Kentmen, 

Waiting to greet them. The gracious, beloved 

Confessors and fathers, fain-mooded, tarried not, 

Delayed not nor lingered, their lip-treasure opened, 

Said to the king : *' We are servants and liegemen 

Of God Almighty, who made out of nothing 

Heaven and earth and all that is in them. 

He willed, and the worlds woke into being-, 

Sprang into space, resplendent and mighty 

Lord everlasting. Last of his marvellous 

Mighty creations was man, O king. 

Made in his image. He early dishonored 

That form and fashion, foully did anger 

The God who had given him glory and honor 

O'er all His creation. On through the ages, 

Though man did despise Him, the mercy and pity 

And goodness of God, growing, expanding. 

Waxed so mighty, widening, deepening. 

That He sent His son to save and redeem the 

Children of Adam from endless, hopeless 

Death and destruction. Dear king Ethelbert, 

Hear thou and hearken Heaven's sweet message 

Of pardon and peace. Pray to the Father, 

God all-gracious, to grant thee His favor. 

Give thee His grace, with glory, honor. 

Abundance of bliss to bless thee in heaven 

When death shall subdue thee. The day is approaching. 

When the God-man mighty, though grievously scouted. 

Rejected of men, jeered at and taunted. 



Augustine. 69 

Spurned and despised, spit upon, hated, 

Nailed to His cross, shall come for to judge the 

Quick and the dead, dealing His justice 

Unerring to all men. Ethelbert dear. 

Kings too shall cringe and crawl at His footstool, 

If angry His visage. He only is mighty, 

We are but weaklings." The ward of the kingdom, 

Ethelbert atheling, answer did render : 

'' Gracious Augustine, good and kind are 

Your word-offers winsome ; yet wot I but little 

What answer to make to message so wondrously 

New and unheard of. I needs must ponder it 

Well with my wise ones. Wait patiently 

Here on this island. No hindrance from me 

Shall let or delay you." The lord of the Kentmen, 

Offspring of Hengist, early did call them 

West over Wantsum to his well-loved, far-famous 

Borough and city which the bones of Augustine 

Have hallowed for ages, excellent shepherd, 

Peace-bringing, pardoning pilgrim of mercy, 

Hateful to hell-folk. Happy, rejoicing, 

Grateful to God, the good ones proceeded, 

Marching, tramping, measuredly treading. 

Entered the borough where early, unhindered, 

They preached the precious, peace-bringing message 

Of mercy and pardon. Once more 'neath the sky, then. 

Was lifted aloft the Lord's dear image ; 

The meek, unmurmuring, merciful Saviour, 

Deathless Redeemer, down on His liegemen 

Bent looks that were loving. They lifted their voices 



70 Old English Idyls. 

Sweetly, softly, singing in measures 

Plaintive and pleading with penitence breathing 

(Heard up in heaven) : '' Hear us, we pray Thee, 

Lord everlasting. Let now Thine anger 

Be turned away far from this fond-loved city 

And Thy house all-holy. Hear us in mercy. 

For we all have angered Thee. Alleluia, Amen." — 

Onward, forward fared, then, the holy ones, 

Heralds of heaven, hopeful and joyous, 

Brave-mooded, bright-hearted bearing before them 

Christ on His cross calmly, triumphantly. 

Meekly but mightily making His entry 

As king of the Kentmen, come to His throne 

As lord of all Albion. — ■ Ethelbert soon 

Eagerly, ardently opened his heart to 

The message of love that the men of the southland 

Gave him from God. Gladly, meekly. 

Sweetly received he the saving, laving. 

Soul-washing waters. The word of the Lord 

Waxed mighty in Kentland. Many then came 

Blithe to the blessed baths of salvation. 

The washing of pardon. The waters of Swale 

Clapped their glad hands when hundreds and thousands 

Of penitent pagans were purged of their sins 

And cleansed in those currents. 'T was comely, fitting 

And seemly, forsooth, the souls of those throngs should 

Be redeemed from death in that dear-loved season. 

The Yule-tide hour, when all of the far-sundered 

Children of God give glory and honor 

And praise and power and princely dominion 



Augustme. 71 

To the Babe that was l)orn in Betlilehcm Jiulah, 

Most blessed of bairns : the birth of those souls was 

Hailed up in heaven as highly beseeming" 

The day that is honored of earth-folk and races 

For that world-saving, hell-shaking, wonderful, holy 

Birth in the manger. — Bold-mooded forward. 

To the south and the north, never retreating. 

Eastward, westward, the armies of Jesus, 

Tramping, marching, trod to the battle 

With the demons and devils that dwelt in that heathenish 

Isle of the ocean. Early did Gregory, 

Sweet-mooded, soul-loving servant of Heaven, 

Humbly but ardently offer his praises 

That the speech which of yore was used in the heathenish, 

Paganish rites was pouring forth now 

Loud hallelujahs and long-resounding 

Hosannas abounding. — The blessed, holy. 

Gracious Augustine, God's dear messenger. 

Precious apostle, passed to the care of 

The Father Almighty, fared on his journey. 

Fearless, unflinching, faithful and dauntless, 

Gave up the ghost. God- Father called him 

Hence to the heavens. Hands that were loving. 

Mournful and tender, took up the good one's 

Dwelling of clay, dear-loved bone-house. 

Bare it to burial : the best of him mounted 

Up through the ether to All- Father's blessed 

Home of the soul, where saints of all ages* 

Do rest from their labors. Beloved companions 

Gave to the grave Augustine's dear ashes, 



72 Old English Idyls. 

His life-house beloved ; laid him to rest, then, 
Where fond-loving fathers, confessors and martyrs 
And penitent pilgrims might press to his shrine 
And utter their prayers and praises to Him who 
Gave grace to Augustine, and guided him hither 
On mission of mercy. His memory ever 
Be honored of England, and ocean and river 
And flood and field, folk-kindreds, races. 
And all of the Anglians give unending praise, 
Majesty, might, dominion and power 
And glory to God, who gave them salvation. 



VII. 

ALFRED. 

Lo ! in song, legend, saga and story. 
We e\'er have heard of Alfred, dear-loved 
Father of England, offspring of Woden, 
Honored, eminent atheling, folk-prince, 
Hoard-ward of heroes. Harpers, gleemen, 
Minstrels of eld, mindful of rhythms. 
Weavers of words, have well heralded 
The daring and dauntless deeds of that noble. 
Well-loved, war-famed, wide-ruling liegelord 
Of England of old. Ethelwulf passed, 
Folk-lord of Wessex, forth on his journey. 
Laid down his life- joys ; not long tarried 
After Judith, the elf-bright, gem-bedecked lady. 
Fairest of folk-queens, fared on her way to 
The Father of Spirits. Four good athelings 
Were born of his body, broadly-famed princes. 
The kingdom's dear shepherds. Most kingly of these 
Was the great earl Alfred ; 'mid all of the races 
Far was he famed. When few were his winters 
God- Father marked him for glory, honor. 
And life everlasting ; for Leo, the holy 
Servant of Heaven, received him and owned him as 
Godson beloved ; the good one promised, 

73 



74 Old English Idyls. 

That Alfred, the infant, should ever continue 
The faithful soldier and servant of Jesus 
While his life-days lasted. Then Leo, eminent 
Keeper of Kings, crowned him, hallowed him, 
Blessed him. abundantly, bade them to take him 
Back to his kingdom : no curse could then reach him, 
Hell could not hurt him, for Heaven had touched him 
With hands hallowing. — A hero in battle was 
Alfred in youth-days. Eastward, westward. 
From ocean to ocean, ever intrepidly 
He followed his brave-hearted brothers and liegelords. 
In the fight foremost, was fain of the battle. 
Exulted in carnage, would crush and destroy the 
Fell-mooded, frantic, fierce-hearted Danemen 
That warred upon Wessex. Wide-famed, terrible. 
Well-nigh invincible was a viking and sea-dog 
Rollo entitled : he rode on his sea-boats 
Westward and southward, seeking to reach the 
Fair and far-renowned, foam-beaten, sea-washed 
Shores of the English. Up in their rivers, then, 
Flew the Norse Ra\'en ; Rollo was mighty. 
Broad his renown ; there was none thwarted him 
'Mid all the brave earth-folk, till England's hero-chiefs, 
Alfred and Ethelred, excellent warriors. 
Dared to defy him, drove him to seaward, 
Off to the eastward ; not eager was Rollo 
To lie in a grave in this land of the brave. 
This fond-loved fatherland favored of Heaven, 
Fairest of folk-lands ; he found it Init bootless 
To grapple with God, who had given great Alfred 



Alfred. 75 

The might and the mind to make of those restless 

Races contentious a true and a mighty 

People and nation. The Northman Rollo, 

War-king and \'iking, was warned in a vision, 

Liegelord beloved, that the land of the AnHians 

Was not to be his, but that Heaven had willed it 

To others fore\'er, and early he hied then 

O'er the seas southward to seek 'mid the Frankmen 

For land and for country. — The kingdom of Wessex 

Fell then in time to the trusty young hero, 

Battle-famed Alfred, brother of Ethelred, 

Offspring of Ethelwulf ; honored of all men 

Wisely he wielded Wessex dominions 

A thirty of winters. He thirsted, panted for 

Worship and honor, but ever, the rather. 

Sought for, fought for, unceasingly thought for, 

The weal of the well-loved warmen and heroes 

And earlmen of England : forever and ever 

His name shall be honored. — Ethelred passed, then, 

Forth on his way, ward of the kingdom, 

God-light elected : gracious, high-hearted 

Alfred the atheling was early thereafter 

Lord of all England. Not e'er heard I 

Of man-ruler mightier in middle-earth's regions. 

Of prince so puissant, peerless, invincible 

On all the broad earth that ocean washeth 

With weltering waves. Wise was Alfred 

E'en in his youth-days : ever he yearned for 

Goodness and wisdom ; of wealth and of honor 

Recked he but little. — Rollo departed 



76 Old Eiiglish Idyls. 

Forth into Frank-land : the fearless, terrific, 

Dire-mooded Danemen dared not grapple with 

Alfred and Ethelred, honored, beloved 

Athelings of England ; but there after came the 

Horrid and horrible hordes of the terrible. 

Libidinous, lecherous, barbarous, treacherous 

Robbers and pirates, plundering, ravaging 

This isle of the ocean, England, the dearest 

And fairest of fatherlands. Fights there were many, 

Most bitter of battles ; bravely did Wessex's 

Princes and people play with the edges. 

Facing the fearless, frantic, implacable 

Dogs of the northland, the never-relenting 

Wolves of the waters. — War-famed Alfred, 

Battle-grim earl, was e'er in the forefront 

Facing the foeman ; few were his winters, but 

Mighty his valor. Much hath been told me 

Of Aescesdune, where Danemen in multitudes 

Bowed in the battle, biting the dust when the 

Heroes of Wessex, henchmen and vassals of 

Alfred and Ethelred with onset of battle did 

Fall on the foeman. Far-famous Ethelred, 

Leaving the altar, then, leaped to the battle, 

Rushed to the slaughter-field ; slew with his hand-blows, 

Smote with his sword-stroke, a savage and terrible, 

Cruel and murderous king of the Northmen, 

Felled him to earthward ; and fond-loved Alfred, 

Earlmen and atheling, out into battle went 

Trusting in God, who giveth the victory 

As best to Him seemeth. Bravely Alfred, 



Alfred. "jy 

Brother of Ethelred, out to the battle went, 

Facing the fierce, fire-eating, devilish 

Sons of the northland ; he swung mightily . 

His battle-famed brand ; he bit right fiercely. 

Heirloom of ages ; the excellent sword-blade 

Failed not in battle. Five good earls, then. 

Put to sleep with the sword, sank to the earth, 

Sidroc the elder and Sidroc the younger, 

Osbern and Fraena and fair-haired Harold, 

Eagle-eyed athelings : 't was Alfred's good falchion 

That stretched these stout-hearted, sturdy, relentless 

Earls of the ocean out under heaven. 

In the dust dead there. The deeds of the hero, 

Eminent atheling, brought awe to the hearts of 

The dogs of the northland : there was none braved him, 

All of them feared him. Off then the heathen 

Hurried and scurried ; scampered and sped they. 

Sheep-like fled they. Famed was Alfred, 

Offspring of Ethelwulf : eastward, westward, 

To the north and the south, singers and minstrels 

Published his praises ; proudly, gleemen, then. 

New word-groups wove, wishing but vainly 

To rehearse but the half of the hero-atheling's 

Wonderful deeds, his war-skill, prowess. 

His craft and cunning in quelling the drunken. 

Gluttonous, murderous men of the northland. 

Robbers and reavers. In rhythmical measures. 

In hamlet and hall, the hero was lauded. 

Song-wrights sang, then, that, southward or northward, 

'Twixt arms of the ocean, 'mid all of the races, 



78 Old Ejiglish Idyls. 

No one of earlmen, older or younger, 

Was so brave-hearted, bold-mooded, battle-distinguished, 

Exalted in honor, as Alfred, youthful 

War-lord of Wessex. The wise young folk-leader, 

Bairn of Ethelwulf, bade then a white-horse, 

As emblem of honor in England forever. 

Be carved on a cliff close to the battle-field. 

On a high hill-side, that heroes thereafter 

Might see it and say 't was a sign and token 

How Alfred atheling at Ashdown drove the 

White horse of Wessex o'er the horrible, murderous, 

Lustful and lecherous, lying and treacherous 

Devils of Dan eland, the damned, implacable 

Foemen of Heaven. But the fierce, terrible 

Pirates and plunderers, the proud, defiant 

Fiends of the mainland, minded but little 

To leave the dear land they long had been harassing. 

Hacking and sacking ; they soon came back again ; 

As the sands on the seashore seemed they in numbers. 

Burning and ravaging, robbing and pillaging. 

They wasted the well-loved winsome, beautiful. 

Ocean-encircled isle of the Anglians 

With sword and with fire, swooping down on it 

Hawk-like, bitterly : Heaven permitted it, 

God had forgot us. Grief, agony, 

Saddest of sorrows, seized hard on the 

Earlmen of England ; they all feared then, 

Their beloved land lost was forever. 

Fond-loved fatherland. Few of them hoped 

(Though well they did wish it), wan-mooded heroes, 



Alfred, 79 

That their land would be saved from the loathsome, 

venomous 
Foemen and fiends, the fell-mooded, hateful, 
Drunken and murderous men of the ocean, 
Hot-mooded hell-hounds. None hoped, trusted 
Save Alfred the king : he ever relied on 
The word of the Lord, who leadeth His people 
With a mighty hand and helpeth His chosen 
With outstretched arm. He only could save us 
When hell was an-hungered. — Heart- wretched, weary, 
The beloved Alfred looked for a i)lace where, 
Fleeing the fury of the fierce, implacable 
Pirates and robbers, he might ponder his country's 
Sadness and sorrow, and safely plan for her 
Welfare and weal. Where the waters of Parret 
And Thone commingle, a marish-encompassed 
Island he wist of, off in the waters. 
Westward in Wessex ; well-loved Alfred, 
Kindest of kings, called it Athelney, 
Isle of the athelings : — let England love that 
Meadowy marshland and moorland forever. 
The island of Athelney, where of old great Alfred, 
The best of her sons, sighed for his liegemen. 
Where the holy hermit, homeless and wretched. 
Lovingly looked to the Lord-God and prayed Him 
Quickly to come to his country and people 
With help from on high. — While here patiently 
Possessing his soul, sweetly awaiting 
What the Lord should allot him, he looked, and behold ! 
Stood there before him a foot-weary pilgrim 



8o Old English Idyls. 

Begging for bread. Blithely Alfred, 

Heaven's dear almoner, urged that the little 

Wine that was left him and the one small loaf 

Of bread should be brought him : then both gladly 

He shared with the pilgrim. He passed on his journey. 

Thanking the king. The thanemen, returning. 

Looked on the loaf, and lo ! it was whole, and 

The flask as full as when first he had brought it. 

Though deep he had drunken. The dear one of Heaven 

Mused and marvelled what meaning to see in 

All that had happened, and how the poor stranger, 

Having no keel had come to that island 

Off in the waters. And early anon, then. 

The fishers of Alfred fared them to homeward, 

Blithehearted boasting that their boats were laden 

As ne'er he had known them. Anew did Alfred 

Muse on the marvel, the mighty-famed lord 

Did exceedingly wonder. — Wakeful and restless, 

Alfred in trouble tossed on his pillow, 

(His sleep forsook him), when he saw all around him 

A luminous light likest the sun's when he 

Streameth at noonday, and standing before him 

A raven-haired man mitred and vested. 

Who held in his hand the holy, beloved 

Book of the Gospels, with gold and with jewels 

Brightly embellished. He blessed, then, the king, 

The old one the younger ; earnestly spake he 

To the excellent atheling : *' Alfred, my son, 

Take heart and rejoice, for, behold ! the poor pilgrim 

Thou feddest to-day before thee is standing. 



Alfred. 8 1 

Cuthbert, the soldier and servant of Jesus, 

The Lord everlasting. Be light-hearted, strong, 

And exceeding courageous, ruler of Wessex ; 

For I henceforth am thy friend and buckler. 

Thy watchman and ward, and well I shall help thcc, 

Thee and thy sons. Soon thou shalt vanquish 

The foes of thy kingdom : the Father in heaven. 

The God of Glory, hath given this spacious 

Island of Albion to Alfred, his servant. 

To have and to hold, and, when hence thou goest, 

To thy offspring after thee. Excellent man. 

Rule in righteousness : then riches and power 

And honor and glory shall ever attend thee 

And the Father defend thee." The fond-loved king. 

Earl of the Anglians, was eager in spirit. 

Relied on the Lord, would look for the foeman, 

The harrying heathen ; his heart then trusted 

In God and Saint Cuthbert. He came to the mainland 

And blew on his bugle, that his brave-mooded heroes 

Might know he had landed to lead them battleward 

Forth 'gainst the foeman. Few of them lingered, then, 

Brave-hearted battle-thanes ; blithely they hastened 

To look for the lord whom long they had waited for 

Lovingly, trustfully. They leaped into battle, 

God was their helper : the heathen were slaughtered, 

The forces of Daneland fled them and sped them 

From the teeth of the boar who bit them and slit them 

And sliced them in slivers. Southward, northward, 

Eastward and westward, through Angle dominions, 

And far o'er the flood-deeps, 'mid folks, kindreds 



82 Old Eiiglish Idyls. 

And nations unnumbered, 't was known, bruited 

That folk-ruling Father was fighting for England 

And had sent His saint to say that this spacious 

Island of Albion should ever be Alfred's 

And his. offspring's after him. The excellent prince, 

Warrior of Wessex, wise over all men, 

Waxed not arrogant ; ever he minded 

That 't was God had given him glory and honor 

And fame 'mid the races, and that Father Almighty 

Exalteth one and humbleth another 

As seemeth Him proper ; and he pondered in spirit 

How the old and clever king of the Danemen, 

Gracious and grateful, good-mooded folk-lord. 

Did warn the well-loved, wide-famed, distinguished, 

Battle-brave Beowulf, bravest of earlmen : 

*' Beware of arrogance, world-famous champion ! 

But a little-while lasts thy life-vigor's fulness ; 

'T will after hap early that illness or sword-edge 

Shall part thee from strength, or the grasp of the fire, 

Or the wave of the current, or the clutch of the edges. 

Or the flight of the war-spear, or age with its horrors, 

Or thy eyes' bright flashing shall fade into darkness ; 

'Twill happen full early, excellent hero, 

That death shall subdue thee." So dear-loved Alfred 

Gave unto God the glory for all his 

Deeds of daring ; dauntless, vauntless. 

Ruled he in righteousness ; he recked not of sorrow, 

His help was in heaven. The hero-in-battle 

Exceeded all other earth-kings and rulers 

In largeness of heart, beloved folk-chieftain. 



Alfred. 83 

Father of England ; he far excelled them 

In wisdom and goodness ; worked out a kingdom 

To stand through the ages ; established the throne 

Of England forever. Early he reached his 

Measure of da)^s : death then took him 

Off from his earth-scenes, up to the keeping 

Of the Lord everlasting. — In legend and story 

Oft have I heard how Alfred the atheling, 

Refuge of heroes, hied to the camp of 

Guthrum the Dane in guise of a minstrel 

With harp in hand ; ne'er heard I that folk-king 

Did deed so audacious, daring, adventuresome 

'Neath dome of the heavens, as the doughty, invincible 

Atheling of England. To Athelney came he. 

Back to his troopers, told them how indolent. 

Sluggish and dull the Danemen were lolling 

Secure in their camp, and how quickly forsooth 

A handful of heroes could harry and scatter the 

Lazy, lecherous, lying and treacherous 

Devils of Daneland. The undaunted earlmen 

Were eager for battle, urged him to lead them 

Forth 'gainst the foeman : few of them wished to 

Stay from the struggle, but stoutly like heroes, 

Looked for the reaving, robbing, murderous 

Foes of their fatherland ; found them, and gave them 

Arrows for tribute, the ash-wood spear 

And swipe of the sword-blade. The sons of the Angles 

Gave them no gold, but grimmest of edges. 

Bite of the battle-blade. The brand of Alfred 

Failed not in fight, fiercely did bite ; 



84 Old English Idyls, 

The hungriest of hand-swords hankered for flesh, then, 

Foremost in battle : the blood of the foemen 

Ran then in rivers. The raven was glad, 

Bird of the battle, was busily eating 

The flesh of the fallen. The feathery eagle, 

Death-swooper dusky, down from his eyrie 

Flew to the feast, too. That fallow-skinned beast, too, 

The wolf of the ,weald, waxing exultant. 

Came to the carnage ; he crunched and he munched the 

Bones on the battle-field. Blithe were they all, then, 

Fierce-mooded feasters, filled to the full 

Their craws and their maws, most cruel, gluttonous 

Of birds and of beast-kind. — The braves of the northland 

Were beaten in battle, bold, audacious 

Men of the waters ; wished they but little 

To leave the dear land they long had been harrying, 

Sacking and hacking ; but Heaven was against them, 

Fought for the far-famed, fond-loved, God-fearing 

Atheling Alfred, England's distinguished 

Friend-lord and father. The folk-prince Guthrum 

(So urgent was Alfred) early did come to the 

Baths of salvation, the blessed, holy 

Waters of cleansing for kings and for athelings, 

For serfs and for slaves. The servant of Heaven, 

Alfred the holy, was eager to greet him 

As brother in Christ, became the brave viking's 

Godfather faithful. Guthrum blithely, then, 

The sign of the cross received on his brow, 

In sign that thereafter he e'er should continue 

True soldier and servant of his Saviour and liegelord 



Alfred. 85 

Till his life-days ended ; and, alono- of his christening-, 

Was given the name of Guthrum-Athelstan, 

In token that thereafter the erst-cruel heathen 

Was a noble stone in the strong, immovable 

House of the Lord. — Then, lavish and bountiful, 

Alfred the king honored and feasted 

Guthrum his godson, gave him abundantly 

Jewels and gems ; generous-mooded. 

Failed not to give gift-tokens many 

To Guthrum's good troopers, true-hearted liegemen, 

Trusty retainers. 'T is told us in story 

That Alfred, the liegelord, was lavish of jewels, 

(A good king he !) withheld no gifts from 

Kinsmen and thanes ; so a king should be ever. 

Dispensing his spacious, splendid, abundant 

Bounty to earlmen, and ever rejoicing the 

Hearts of good heroes that Heaven hath given him 

To love as his liegemen. — The land-ruler mighty, 

England's dear king, was kindest of princes, 

Gentle in spirit, generous-mooded. 

Lavish of jewels ; gems in abundance 

He gave his dear earlmen ; forgot not but minded 

The wretched around him, recked not of earthh^ 

Praise and requital, cared he but little 

To be seen of men, seeking the rather 

The smile of the Father. Freely, gladly, 

He offered his alms for altars and minsters 

And shrines of the saints, sure of requital 

Not here but in heaven. To the Holy City 

He sent of his treasure, trusty, beloved 



86 Old Englisk Idyls. 

Child of the Church ; she had chosen him early, 

Sealed him and signed him to save his dear land from 

Heathen and hell-men ; she had helped him right stoutly, 

Dear Bride of the Lord. — The blessed Marinus, 

Vicar of Heaven, heard of the goodness 

Of England's dear Alfred, and early did send him. 

Precious apostle, a piece of the Rood 

The dear Lord had died on ; the darling of Heaven, 

Alfred the holy, handled it reverently. 

Tenderly took it, touched it gently 

With lips that were loving, looking upon it 

With eyes that were eager ; often caressing it. 

To his bosom pressing it, blessing and praising 

The King of all kings, kindest of liegelords, 

Who had left his celestial, delightsome, perennial 

Home in the heavens, and hastened to earthward 

To seek Him a cross to suffer and die on. 

That the king and the clown might come and receive 

their 
Father's forgiveness, freely might have it 
All for the asking. — Alfred rejoiced, 
Was thankful of heart to the holy Marinus, 
Beloved, blessed bishop, apostle 
And Vicar of Christ ; called he around him 
His excellent earlmen all that were near him, 
High-mooded henchmen ; his holy, pious 
Dear-loved mother ; the modest, faithful 
Wife of his bosom, well-loved folk-queen, 
Saintly Elswitha ; with the sweet, obedient 
Bairns of his body ; the beautiful boy. 



Alfred. :^j 

Edward the atheling, who after him wielded 

The island of Albion ; Ethelswitha, 

]{thclfleda and other dear maidens 

Whom God had given them, and graciously showed them 

The piece of the Rood that Marinus had sent him, 

Priest and apostle, praising the goodness 

Of God's dear servant. Said then Alfred, 

Henchman of heaven, holy, beloved 

Earl of the English : '' Let all who behold me 

Thank the dear God for the gift He hath sent me, 

Richest of relics. The rood of the Saviour 

Long-while was lost ; little did earthmen 

Know where to find it. Folk of the races 

Sought it but vainly, till the saintly, beloved 

Holy Helena, Heaven's dear daughter. 

With faith all fervent fared on her journey 

Through all the broad earth — eastward, westward. 

Sought for the wood her Saviour had hallowed 

When He died to redeem her. The dauntless, courageous 

one, 
Dear-mooded woman, went on her pilgrimage, 
Mother of Constantine, minding no perils and 
Fearing no foeman, fared 'mid the world-races, 
Urging the earlmen, all who would hearken her, 
To help her to find the fond-loved, precious 
And long-lost rood her Lord had been nailed to. 
When He came to His own and His own rejected Him 
And cut Him a cross, and crowned Him in mockery 
With thistles and thorns. Thought she and trusted 
That Heaven would graciously guide her in seeking 



88 Old English Idyls. 

The beloved wood her Lord had been bound to, 

And the nails that had bitten the blessed, loving One's 

Hands and His feet, harried Him cruelly, 

Unpityingly pierced Him. Prayed she unceasingly. 

Handmaid of Heaven, her heart ne'er failing her, 

That the Glory of Kings would grant her to find the 

Cross and the nails, would nowise refuse her 

A boon so blessed. Brave in her spirit. 

Sinless, undaunted, she dreaded no peril but 

Fared on her pilgrimage far to the eastward 

'Neath suns that were seething, o'er seas that tumbled 

And oceans that grumbled, o'er endless expanses of 

Meadow and moorland, and mountains that icily 

Glinted and glistened, o'er the gurgling currents 

Of rivers that rapidly ran in their gravelly, 

Pebbly channels, chafingly, ragingly 

Seeking the sea. Sought she not vainly, 

Most pious of pilgrims, precious, faithful 

Daughter of Heaven ; the Holy One gave her 

To find in the earth His own dear glory-tree. 

Victory-wood. The Wielder of heaven 

Had kept from decay the cross He had died on, 

Saviour of sinners, safely had kept it 

To gladden the eyes of earthmen unnumbered 

In all of the earth-regions. / may now praise Him 

For the sight that I see, sooth-fast Creator, 

Lord everlasting. As I look with mine eyes 

On this well-loved treasure the World- Father sent me. 

This piece of the Rood, the poet's clear vision 

Meseemeth my own, and I see in my dream-thought 



Alfred. 89 

The Cross of the Crucified comiiii;- before me, 

Tree of the Saviour, token of pardon, 

Saying with sorrow : ' 1 saw the dear hero, 

Man-ruler mighty, mount to my bosom. 

Beg my embraces. I bitterly rued it 

That fiercest of folkmen, fell-mooded, made me 

Hurt the brave hero. No harm did I mean him. 

But hankered to save him ; yet horrible foemen, 

Cruel and hateful, held me, drove me 

In the earth deep there, till the excellent hero 

Could climb to my bosom. Then basely the foemen 

Hammered him down with dreadful, venomous 

Teeth of iron, tightly did nail him 

Close to my bosom. The bites of the teeth, then. 

Pained the dear earl : in anguish of spirit 

Sorrow of mood, mightily cried he, 

And gave up the ghost. I grieved in my heart, then. 

Lamented and bemoaned it, that viy sad bosom 

Was stained with the blood-sweat of the best and the 

dearest 
Of all the brave athelings I ever had heard of 
'Mong the children of men. I mused in my soul-deeps, 
Marvelled why cruel ones came to the forest 
Where long I had lived a light-hearted aspen. 
Hacked me with axes, then hewed from my body 
That accursed cross that the kindest and gentlest 
Of heroes did hang on. Horror doth seize me. 
Trembling and terror : 'mid the trees of the forest 
I shall quake and quiver and cower forever.' " 
So Alfred the good was grateful in spirit. 



90 Old English Idyls. 

Thankful to Heaven and the holy Marinus 

For that priceless keepsake, cut from the tree that 

His dear Lord had died on. Daily, hourly 

He pressed to his bosom the precious, sacred 

Holiest of relics, reckoned it dearer 

Than gems and jewels. — Generous-hearted, 

Fond-loved, faithful father and ruler 

Was Alfred the atheling, Ethelwulf's son. 

Grandson of Egbert. All of the races 

Honored the name of England's distinguished, 

Far-famous folk-lord ; afar and anear 

Earlmen honored him, not any begrudged him 

The title of father and friend to his people, 

Beloved land-prince. — Long did Alfred 

Bear in his bod}^ the burden of pain. 

Sadly did suffer. Himseemed the torture 

Was given of God, the good and loving 

King of all kings, to keep His dear servant 

Lowly and humble, lest earthly lustre 

Too much should exalt him, and his mood should haughtily 

Forget the dear God who had given him glory 

And honor 'mid earthmen. So Alfred patiently 

Bare his great burden l)lithely, resignedly 

Many a winter, till wise-mooded God-Father, 

Ruler of heaven, was ready to call him 

To lay down the life that long had burdened him 

Here among men and mount on his soul's- wings 

To that land celestial where the Lord-God wipeth 

Tears from all eyes, and where anguish and sorrow 

And pain and crying cometh no more 



Alfred. 91 

Forever and ever. — Alfred departed, ^ 

Seeking the Father, fared on his journey 

To the care of his Lord. Kind-loving thanemen 

And earlmen of Wessex bewailed and lamented 

The death of the dear one. Dead was Alfred, 

Earlman of England ; not any could measure 

The sorrow and woe that welled in the bosoms 

Of all men of England when, early thereafter. 

They heard that the hero hence had departed. 

Laid down his life-joys and left the dear people 

Whom long he had led 'gainst loathsome and horrible, 

Fell-mooded foemen. The folk of the Anglians 

Cried unto God grief-stricken, anguished, 

Bewailing their woe. Well-loved thanemen. 

Liegemen and kinsmen, laid his dear soul-prison. 

His life-house beloved (lorn were their spirits) 

At Wintanceaster, the wide-famed, beautiful 

Abbey of Alfred, where erstwhile in life-days 

He often had offered alms and oblations 

And prayers and praises to the Prince of the heavens, 

God all-glorious. They gave his dear ashes 

To his beloved abbey, to lie in her bosom 

Till the trumpet shall sound ; his soul then mounted 

Upward, onward, through the arch of the heavens. 

To the abodes of the blest, where abundance of rest 

Remain eth for the weary, and where way-worn pilgrims 

And heavy-laden ones can lay down their burdens 

On one who would share them or willingly bear them. 



VIII. 

EDGAR THE PEACEABLE. 

Lo ! all of England's athelings and liegemen 
Did well wot of, warmen distinguished, 
Eminent heroes, often had heard of 
The glory of Edgar, Athelstan's nephew. 
Bairn of Edmund, the brave-hearted, war-mooded 
Heroes of Wessex. With hand-strokes a-mighty, 
Fell falchion-blows, these fierce-hearted, valiant, 
Bold-mooded brothers beat back the Danemen 
At Brunanborough, battered the Irishmen, 
Scattered the Scotmen ; they scampered like foxes 
Northward, westward, waited but little then 
To hold the battle-field, hurried, scurried, 
Running like reindeer. Rightly, Edgar, 
Kinsman of these two, came by the valor 
And might marking him 'mid men of that wonderful 
Era of heroes : ever 't was told him 
In hall and bower, by hero and lady. 
By mother and maid, by minstrel and scop 
As they fingered the glee-wood, fame-deeds reciting. 
How his father and uncles and other distinguished 
And eminent athehngs often had crushed the 
Demons and devils that dared to molest their 
Fond-loved folk-land, fairest, dearest, 

92 



Edgar the Peaceable, 93 

Elf-lovely Albion. Edmund was gone, 

Hero of heroes, from hence, off then, 

Eminent atheling, upward, heavenward. 

Dread of the Danemen. Dead was Edmund ; 

Liofa, the hated, loathsome and treacherous, 

Sent his pure soul to seek All-Father's 

Light in the heavens. The lord of the Angles 

Was bit by the dagger ; death then bore him 

Off from his earth-joys. Honored and trusty, 

Land-folk and liegemen lovingly raised 

His soul-house slitten with slashing and gashing, 

Bore it for burial to the beautiful, winsome 

Minster and abbey that the Arimathean 

Builded in Albion, to honor the name 

Of his dear-loved Redeemer. Dunstan, the holy, 

God's dear servant, grieved, bereaved. 

Laid there his liegelord's life-house beloved 

Away in the grave, gave his dear ashes 

To the dust they had come from, while dirges and anthems 

Sped his sweet spirit to the spacious, ineffable 

Raptures of heaven. — There ruled afterward 

Edred and Edwy and Edgar the Peaceable 

As athelings of Anglia, all high-hearted 

Offspring of Alfred, Edgar farthest-famed. 

Known to all nations. There was none marvelled then. 

That Edgar was honored of all the great races 

And kindreds of earth, and was called the delight 

And honor of England ; for an angel's voice 

Was heard from the heavens, harp-like saying, 

At the birth of the bairn : '' Blessed be England, 



94 Old En-glisk Idyls, 

Peace to her people, while the precious infant 

Shall sit on her throne, and the saintly Dunstan 

Liveth his life-days ! " Not long Edgar, then. 

Loitered and lolled, letting the Northmen 

Ravage his England ; but eagerly bade he 

His brave-hearted heroes to build him a mighty and 

Fast-sailing fleet to float him to westward. 

To look for the lying, lecherous, murderous. 

Pestiferous pirates. He passed o'er the waters, 

O'er the flint-gray floods, far to the westward 

Lashing, slashing the lewd and horrible 

Danemen of Erin, and eastward in triumph, then, 

Rode on his sea-steeds ; the race of the Welshmen, 

Fell-mooded foemen, he fiercely, bitterly. 

Savagely slaughtered ; sword- weary left them. 

Moaning for mercy ; no more harried they 

Edgar's dear Albion, his own beloved 

Kingdom and fatherland. The faint-hearted Welshmen 

Gladly did pledge them to give him for tribute 

Hundreds of wolves' -heads ; well did they keep this 

Bravest of pledges : their promise they yearly 

Performed to the full. So the fell-mooded, cruel 

Heath-tramper grisly, gray-coated howler, 

Venomous battle-beast, vanished from Albion, 

No more murdereth men of this island. 

Nor feeds on the fallen : our fathers have told us 

How he scented the slaughter-field, snuffing the gory 

Breezes that blew from the battle-plain reddened 

With the blood of the brave, and buried his teeth in 

The flesh of the fey. Famed is Edgar, 



Edgar the Peaceable, 95 

Who quelled, killed out the cruel, carnivorous 

Wolf of the weald, the weird, horrible 

Beast of the battle-field. — Brave and heroic, 

Edgar did early humble and conquer 

The foes of his folk-land ; fled then the hated 

Robbers and reavers who had wracked, tortured 

England for ages. Earned the great hero 

The title of Peaceable : plenty, joyance. 

Glory and honor made England, our mother, 

Famous afar as the fairest, happiest. 

Most lovesome land the Lord ever granted to 

Men under heaven. — While hot in his spirit 

Tow'rd the foe of his folk-land, far- famous Edgar, 

Joy of the Angles, was gentle of mood 

With his loyal liegemen, his beloved, faithful 

Trusty retainers, and true to the pious 

Servants of heaven, the holy, godly 

Monks and abbots, and all the well-learned 

Sons of the church who sought, begged his 

Counsel and aid : he honored, exalted 

The priests of the Lord who laid on his altar 

Their prayers and praises, and who, poor, soothly. 

As men count wealth, were well assured 

Of treasure in heaven, where treacherous moth 

And rust corrupteth not, and reaving and thieving 

Are wholly unheard of. — The hero forgot not 

To offer Albion's alms and oblations 

To the Prince of Apostles, St. Peter's honored 

Vice-gerent beloved ; laid it loyally. 

Freely and fondly at the feet of the holy 



96 Old English Idyls. 

Vicar of Heaven, hoping, trusting 

That his own dear England ever would share 

Her wealth, world-riches with the well-loved Father 

And shepherd of souls, who seeketh not mammon, 

Lusts not for lucre, but lavisheth plenty 

And abundance of blessing with bountiful hands 

On the poor of all lands. — Princely Edgar, 

Hoard-ward of heroes, high-hearted liegelord. 

Was loving and lovesome. The Lady Elfleda 

Was the first of the fair, fond-loved maidens 

Whom he well did love as his wife, heart-friend, 

Folk-queen of earlmen : all men loved her. 

Bowed to her beauty, boasting, wagering 

That Ened the Fair was the elf-brightest, beautifulest 

Queen under heaven, called her the white, 

Sighed for her, would have died for her. The sweet, 

precious one 
Bore him a bairn, e'er her beautiful soul 
God-light elected : lone-mooded, Edgar 
Lamented in mourning measure and rhythm 
The loss of the beloved Lady of England, 
The gracious, graceful, golden-haired maiden 
Who had blushed on his bosom, and beamed at his side 
As his beautiful bride ; the bairn he cherished 
As pledge of the pure, precious embraces 
Of his elf-lovely Ened. — The excellent king, then, 
Edgar the Peaceable, proudly, serenely, 
His sceptre did sway ; off the seas sw^ept he 
The fleets of the foeman ; on the field felled he 
The thousands that thronged thick for the reaper, 



Edgar the Peaceable. 97 

Fondly dreaming that the dear-loved, beautiful 

Island of Albion could ever be conquered 

While Edgar the war-famed wielded her sceptre, 

And Dunstan, the holy henchman of Jesus, 

Was living his life-days ; for the Lord God had, 

Wielder of Glory, given His word-oath 

Through the angel's mouth, All- Father holy. 

Had sworn solemnly that the son of great Edmund, 

And Dunstan the saint, in safety should govern 

The isle of the Anglians : He ever is faithful, 

Covenant-keeping king of the heavens. 

Lord everlasting. — The land of the Angles 

Shone resplendent with the sheen, luminous 

Lustre and light of the lives of numberless 

Saints of the Lord who lived in that marvellous 

Era of Anglia. Earth had never 

Holier and heavenlier heroes of Jesus 

Than Oswald and Athelwold, excellent, faithful 

Shepherds of souls, and the saintly Dunstan, 

Who sat in the sacred seat of the holy. 

Gracious Augustine, God's beloved 

Apostle to Albion. These priests of the Lord 

And others in Anglia instantly served him 

With praises and prayers, preached his dear gospel 

With their lips and their lives, letting their light 

Shine before men, that many from darkness 

Looked for the lovely, luminous, bright-beaming. 

Life-giving light which the Lord Almighty 

Beams from above with boundless abundance 

On all men that ask Him. So Edgar, the king, 



98 Old English Idyls. 

Guided, governed grandly, proudly 

The athelings and earlmen of Albion, blessed 

Isle of the ocean ; he ever was zealous 

To rule in righteousness, rightly marking 

How his fathers before him, folk-lords of Albion, 

Well-loved war-kings, wisely had governed 

The proudest of peoples. — The prince of the Anglians, 

Land-chief beloved, longed greatly, then. 

Yearning no little for his Lady to solace him, 

To sit at his side smiling, beguiling 

Days that were dreary, drawling, weary ; 

The heart of the hero was heavy, lone 

As the hours dragged on. Oft he remembered 

Elfleda, the fond-loved folk-queen of Anglia, 

Wished she were with him ; but wise-ruling Father, 

King of all kings, had called her to lay down 

All of her earth-joys and upward, onward 

To soar on her soul's-wings, to seek her celestial 

Home in the heavens. The holy, beloved 

Lady Elfleda had left her earthly 

Lord and his love, and lay on her heavenly 

Bridegroom's bosom, blushing in glory. 

Urging him again to go over the story 

Of his life down below, how he so loved the world 

That he gladly flung down his glittering crown 

At the feet of his Father, to find him a cross 

That would do to die on, to redeem the wretched 

Millions and myriads of men of all races 

Rushing to ruin. — 'Mid the raptures of heaven. 

The fair Elfleda failed not to breathe her 



Edgar the Peaceable. 99 

Pitiful prayers for the poor, comfortless 

Love she had left in the land of the Anglian s, 

When she came at the call of the kind-rulin<^- I^^ather 

To her home in the heavens : happy, blissful, 

With abundance of pardon, prayed she that lulgar 

Might wash his soul in the saving, laving 

Blood of the Lamb, might lay his sins too 

On the Lamb that was slain. — In the land of Albion, 

Southward, westward, where the waters of Exe 

Wind through the woodlands, lived the winsome, lovely 

Lady Elfrida, famed for her beaut}'. 

Daughter of Ordgar, excellent, trusty 

Earlman of Devonshire. .Eastward, westward. 

To the south and the north, was none but had heard of 

Elfrida the Fair : far o'er the rivers. 

In hamlet and hall, in the home of the thrall. 

In the palace of princes, the peerless charms of this 

Marvellous maiden were the mins'trel's theme 

And the lover's dream ; in lands without number 

Famed was Elfrida. The folk-leader mighty, 

Wielder of England, was eager in spirit 

To learn for himself whether Lady I£lfrida, 

The dear maid of De\'on, daughter of Ordgar, 

Were half so fair as fame had painted her, 

Were truthfully called the queenliest, winsomest 

Woman in Albion. Edgar, the king, then, 

Urged Athelwold, earl of the Anglians, 

His fond-loved friend, to fare westward 

To the manor of Ordgar, and early returning 

To tell him in truth how true were the rumors 



lOO Old Eriglish Idyls, 

Of this wonderful woman, well to consicler 

How the fair maid of Devon would adorn and honor 

The seat of the sweet, sainted Elfleda, 

Handmaid of God, who had gone from his love 

To her bright home above. Blithely went Athelwold 

Off on his errand ; the earl, hero-thane 

Gladly did go at his gracious liegelord's 

Friendly behest : hastened, delayed not, 

Went to the westward, weening, doubting not, 

He soon should return and tell his dear friend-lord 

That fame had flattered Elfrida of Devon, 

O'er-praised her beauty, that the blessed, stately 

Maidens of Wessex were winsomer, lovelier 

Than all of the other excellent, beautiful 

Ladies of Albion. Athelwold hied, then. 

Off to the westward ; early thereafter. 

Came to the home of the high-minded, bold-mooded, 

Brave-hearted baron. ' There burst on his vision 

The ineffable beauty of the blushing and flushing 

Elfrida, the far-famed. He flung to the winds 

His love for his liegelord : little he cared for 

His king and his kindred ; he craved but the smile 

Of the fond-loved Elfrida, the fairest of women 

The sun ever shone on. Said he but little 

Of the errand that brought him; of honor he recked 

not, 
Thought not of thaneship ; threw away madly 
All other earth joys, if only the beautiful, 
Dove-eyed, beloved lady of Devon 
Would let her dear lips lisp him to rapture, 



Edgar tJic Peaceable. loi 

Would murmur the word that was more in his thoughts 

than 
Kindred and country. The queenly hLlfrida 
Listened not loth : lightly, Athelwold 
Gained from her father the glad, enrapturing 
Word of consent, then went on his journey 
Off to the eastward, to Edgar, his king. 
With lies for his liegelord. The land of the Angles 
Far to the east had erst ever been 
Bright to earl Athelwold : dishonor and shame 
Cloud-like had come now to cover the heavens 
With darkness a-dreary : death is far better 
To an excellent atheling than infamous life is. — 
Edgar and Athelwold early did meet, then. 
Land-prince and liegeman : laughing, jesting, 
Playfully twitting the prince of the Anglians, 
Said then Athelwold, earlman, liegeman, 
Treacherous trickster : '' 'T is true. Sire, 
That maidens of Wessex are winsomer, lovelier, 
In sooth, fairer than the famed, notable 
Lady of Devon. I looked on the maiden, 
And lo ! her face was fair as a vision, 
Comely her countenance, queenly, majestic. 
But her form unlovely ; not fain, gladly 
Would I see her sit in the saintly Elfleda's 
Seat at thy side ; my soul yearns for the 
Gracious, graceful, glory-encircled. 
Fawn-like lady whom liegemen and heroes 
Delighted to look on. — I loth should behold her 
Unqueenly, uncouth, as she came through the mead-hall 



I02 Old English Idyls. 

Bearing a beaker to benches and dais, 

To liegemen and lord : a laugh of derision 

Might follow the folk-queen." The friend-lord of Wessex, 

Lord of all Albion, answered his thaneman : 

"Thanks do I owe thee, excellent man. 

Good earl Athelwold, for all thou hast spoken. 

Thane-like hast uttered. I early shall render thee 

The meed thou hast earned by thine eminent wisdom. 

Mighty-famed valor. My vassals, dutiful, 

Early shall give thee excellent jewels, 

Goodliest of gold-gems, gifts in abundance. 

War-horses, swords, with the sweetest of maidens 

'Mid the kin of the king to comfort and cheer thee 

With her blushing embraces." Blandly, artfully, 

Athelwold answered : '' Edgar, beloved. 

Gold-friend of heroes, grant me, I pray thee. 

This simple petition, myself to wed this 

Maiden of Devon. Debt-weary, harassed, 

The gold of the lady would lighten my burden. 

Greatly would gladden me. Gracious king Edgar, 

Hear my petition." The helm of the Angles, 

Edgar the king, quickly, speedily 

Sent him off on his happy errand to Devonshire, 

Wishing, weening for his well-loved liegeman 

Abundance of bliss in the blushing embraces 

Of Elfrida, the far-famed. The friend-lord of England 

Wist not the grief (God alone knew it) 

Would erelong follow that foul, ineffable 

Lie of his liegeman : the Lord God reigneth. 

And all false ways he utterly abhorreth ; 



Edgar the Peaceable. 103 

The treacherous tongue he teareth in sHvers, 

Plucketh it to pieces ; will punish in hell-fire 

Lips that are lying. — The lady of Dc\on, 

Elfrida the fair, fondly on Athelwold 

Lavished her love : little she dreamed, then. 

That a queen's crown would come at her bidding. 

To beam on her brow. Better had Athelwold 

Never been born, when anon unto Edgar 

The story was told, how the treacherous thaneman 

By falsehood the foulest had filched from his liegelord 

Fond-loving, trustful, the fairest of women 

\\\ all of Albion. Angry of mood, then. 

Was Edgar the Peaceful, early set out to 

East-Anglian land, to learn for himself there 

(No friend should betray him) if Elfrida, in sooth, 

Were half so fair as fame painted her. 

Were called truthfully the queenliest, winsomest 

Woman in Albion, Early anon, 

A henchman of Edgar entered the hall of 

Alderman Athelwold, off to the northward, 

Gave him this greeting : " Great earl Athelwold, 

Edgar, thy fond-loving friend-lord doth greet thee, 

Longeth to meet thee. The lord of all England 

Is hither a-faring ; would fain \isit thee 

Here in thy home ; would hold to his bosom 

Edgar the bairn, infant beloved. 

His dear-loved godson ; would greet Elfrida, 

The lady of Devon." Then lorn, wretched 

Was Athelwold earl, anxious of spirit. 

Heavy of heart : hard bested was 



I04 Old English Idyls. 

The tricksy deceiver. Sought he Elfrida, 

He told tenderly the torture and anguish 

That had seized on his soul, beseeching forgiveness 

For the wrong he had wrought her, wretchedly besought 

her 
By the love that he bore her, begged her to save him 
From the fury of Edgar ; urged her beseechingly 
So to conceal her soul-dazzling beauty 
That the king would not crave her, nor kill him in anger 
For the wrong he had wrought him. But wrathful, wroth 
Was the Lady Elfrida : her love, then, turned to 
Hatred the hottest. The high-born folk-lady 
Was frantic and frenzied, flung away pity ; 
Bitter her words were : '* Woe unto Athelwold, 
Liar, deceiver ! As Lady of England 
And of all of Albion, / had been honored. 
Had Jie been but trusty. The traitor shall perish 
Ere to-day's sun sinketh." Secretly she clad her 
In robes that were richest, arrayed her gorgeously 
In precious apparel, put on the rarest 
Of jewels and gems that the generous-mooded. 
Loving but treacherous lord of East-Anglia 
Long had been lavishing on his Lady Elfrida, 
And went forth to welcome the world-famous hero, 
England's dear Edgar. Early anon 
There burst on the king that abundant, ineffable 
Vision of loveliness that had lured earl Athelwold 
Down to dishonor, had dazzled a liegeman 
To be false to his folk-lord. The defender of heroes, 
Lord of all Albion, looked on Elfrida 



Edgai'- the Peaceable. 105 

With rapture and wonder ; wist he how basely 

His hegeman had Hed : loved he the fairest 

And winsomest of women ; would wed her forthwith 

And slay her deceiver. Soon thereafter, 

Athelwold earl and Edgar his liegelord 

Hunted in Wherwell. Hot in his spirit, 

Bitter and angry, Edgar the king 

Smote with his lance the lying, treacherous 

Earl of East-Anglia ; out in the wood there 

Did him to death ; down he fell head-long. 

Dead in his traces. Dear-loved Edgar 

Wedded Elfrida, widely-famed, beautiful 

Daughter of Ordgar. Ethelred king 

And Edmund the atheling, early thereafter, 

Were born of her body, bairns of Edgar, 

Dear little princes. Daily, nightly. 

Ever incessantly, Edgar the king 

And the fond-loved Elfrida found on their hearts the 

Burden of sin ; saw no peace till 

They builded a minster by the margin of Wherwell, 

A house to the Lord. Holy virgins. 

Servants of Jesus, they set therein, then ; 

Singing their songs, sweetest of melodies ; 

Ever they raise anthems of praise. 

Hymns of thanksgiving, heavenward breathing 

By day and by night their never-remitting 

Prayers of faith with fasting and vigil. 

To God and His glory. — Great was Edgar, 

Far spread his fame : few and slight were 

The sins of his soul. Some of the elders, 



io6 Old English Idyls. 

Old men of England, often have told us 

That the king was too kind to the cruel, perfidious. 

Lecherous Danemen, too lenient of mood 

To sea-dogs and vikings who had swooped from the 

northward 
And eastward of England ; but all of the holy, 
Pious and godly priests of the Lord God, 
Servants of Heaven, say that that atheling 
Was blotless and spotless. — Though spacious his fame, 
Edgar was humble ; earnest, God-fearing- 
Son of the church, seeking, begging 
The counsel of learned liegemen of Jesus, 
Bishops and fathers ; fain delayed his 
Crowning as king, till there came to his spirit 
Forgiveness and peace, pardon for all the 
Sins of his youth-days. A sixteen of winters 
He ruled over Albion, ere the eminent, pious 
Dunstan and Oswald, athelings of Heaven, 
Laid on his head hands of anointing. 
Hallowing, holy ; held to his lips 
The blessed, beautiful book of the gospels 
That our kings have kissed when, crowned, they appealed 

for 
Help unto Heaven. — The hero-liegelord 
Early thereafter set out to the northward. 
Sailing the seas that encircle and girdle 
The island of Albion : ocean was glad. 
Winsome the waters, welcomed the beautiful, 
Fleeting and foamy floats of the Anglians 
That bosomed the waters ; begging, craving 



Edgar the Peaceable. 107 

The honor of wafting England's dear barks 

Off on their errand. Out on the waves, then, 

Forth on the flood-deeps, fared the dear vessels 

Far and away; westward, northward. 

The birds of the billow breasted the waters, 

Skimming the currents, came then early 

Where dear-loved Dee, dashing, splashing. 

Northward and westward windeth and bendeth. 

Rushing to seaward. Soon, then, Edgar, 

Lord of all Albion, loftily, proudly 

Saw there awaiting him widely-famed earlmen 

And athelings of Albion, eight of them ready 

To bow to his bidding ; blithe was the hero. 

Lord of the Anglians ; not ever had king 

Liegemen-thanes so illustrious, mighty 

As Edgar of England. The excellent heroes. 

Nine dear athelings, early anon 

Mounted a sea-boat, sailing o'er Dee's 

Well-loved waters : wide-famous Edgar 

Guided the helm ; his high-mooded liegemen. 

Eight great earlmen and athelings of Albion, 

Bent to the oars, and brought the good sea- wood. 

Bark of the atheling, early thereafter 

To the shrine of St. John, where they joined their voices 

In praises and prayer, passing erelong 

Back on their journey. Joyous, gleeful. 

Exultant was Edgar : England, beloved 

Mother of heroes, though mighty her fame is, 

Not ever had seen, nor e'er had dreamed of 

The sight seen there by swains of that marvellous 



io8 Old English Idyls. 

Era of heroes, when Edgar, her Hegelord, 

Had kings for oarsmen, eager, craving 

To serve at his bidding. — The blessed Edgar 

Early thereafter ended his earth- joys. 

The lord of all Albion chose another light, 

Beauteous and winsome ; the wielder of England 

Abandoned this frail, this barren life. 

And sailed on his soul's-wings to his sweet, blessed 

Home in the heavens, where he hero-like serveth 

With angels and archangels forever and ever. 



ADVERTISEMENTS 



THH ATHHN.4iUM PRHSS SHRIHS 

Issued under the general editorship of 

Professor Geor(;e J^vman Kittred(;k, of Harvard University, and 

Professor C. T. Winchkstkk, of Wesleyan University. 

THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES ARE NOW READY: 

Sidney's Defense of Poesy. Edited by Professor Ai.kkkt S. Cocjk 

of Yale University. So cents. 

Ben Jonson's Timber ; or Discoveries. Edited by Professor F. E. 

ScHKi.i.iNG of the University of Pennsylvania. 80 cents. 

Selections from the Essays of Francis Jeffrey. Edited by Eewis E. 

Gates of Harvard University. 90 cents. 

Old English Ballads. Edited by Professor F. B. Gum mere of Haver- 
ford College. #1.25. 
Selections from the "Works of Thomas Gray. Edited by Professor 

Wm. L. Phelps of Yale University. 90 cents. 

A Book of Elizabethan Lyrics. Edited by Professor F. E Schelling 

of the University of Pennsylvania. $1.12. 

Seventeenth Century Lyrics. Edited by Professor F. E. Schelling 

of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Herrick : Selections from the Hesperides and the Noble Numbers. 

Edited by Professor E. E. Hale, Jr., of Union University. 90 cents. 

Selections from Keats's Poems. Edited by Professor Arlo Bates of 

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. #1.00. 

Selections from the Works of Sir Richard Steele. Edited by Professor 

GEt)Kc;E R. Caki'hnter of Columbia University. Cloth. 90 cents. 

Carlyle's Sartor Resartus. Edited by Professor Archibald Mac- 

IMechan of Dalhousie College, Halifax, N.S. $1.25. 

Selections from Wordsworth's Poems. Edited by Professor Edward 

Dowden of the University of Dublin. $1.25. 

Specimens of the Pre-Shaksperean Drama. Edited by Professor 

John M. Manly of Chicago University. In three volumes. Vols. I. and II. 
now ready. #1.25 each. 

Selections from Malory's Morte Darthur. Edited by Professor Wil- 
liam E. Mead of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. $1.00. 

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited by Professor 

HA^LMuND Lamont of Brown University. 50 cents. 

Selections from Shelley's Poems. Edited by W. J. Alexander of 

the University of Toronto. #1.15. 

Selections from Landor. Edited by W. B. S. Clymer, formerly of 

Harvard University. $1.00. 

Selections from William Cowper's Poems. Edited by James O. 

Murray of Princeton University. $1.00. 

Selections from Robert Burns's Poems. Edited by the late John G. 

Dow, formerly of the University of Wisconsin. #1.10. 

The Poems of William Collins. Edited by Walter C. Bronson of 

Brown University. 90 cents. 

Gibbon's Memoirs. Edited by Professor Oliver F. Emerson of 

Western Reserve University. $1.10. 



GINN & COMPANY, Publishers. 



STANDARD ENGLISH CLASSICS 



EDITED BY COMPETENT SCHOLARS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE 
TO COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS. 

Tennyson's The Princess. Edited by Albert S. Cook, Professor of 
English Literature in Yale University. 40 cents. 

Carlyle's Essay on Burns. Edited by Charles L. Hanson, Teacher 
of English in the Mechanic Arts High School, Boston, Mass. 30 cents. 

Macaulay's Essay on Milton. Edited by Herbert A. Smith, Instructor 
in English in Yale University. 25 cents. 

Macaulay's Essay on Addison. Edited by Herbert A. Smith. 35 

cents. 

Macaulay's Essays on Addison and Milton. (In one volume.) Edited by 
Herbert A. Smith. 50 cents. 

Dryden's Palamon and Arcite. Edited by George E. Eliot, Jr., 

Instructor in English in Morgan School, Clinton, Conn. 35 cents. 

George Eliot's Silas Marner. Edited by R. Adelaide Witham, 
Teacher of English in Latin High School, Somerville, Mass. 50 cents. 

Sir Roger de Coverley Papers. From " llie Spectator.''' Edited by 
Mary E. Litchfield. 40 cents. 

Coleridge's Ancient Mariner. Edited by L. R. Gibbs. 25 cents. 

Pope's Translation of the Iliad. Books I., VI., XXII., and XXIV. Edited by 

William Tatpan. 35 cents. 

Macaulay's Lays of Ancient Rome. Edited by M. Grant Daniell, 

recently Principal of Chauncy-Hall School. 35 cents. 

Cooper's Last of the Mohicans. Edited by John B. Dunbar, Instructor 
in English in the Boys' High School, Brooklyn, N. Y. 60 cents. 

Shakespeare's Macbeth. Edited by Rev. Henry N. Hudson. 35 cents. 

Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America. Edited by Hammond 
Lamont, Associate Professor of Rhetoric in Brown University. 40 cents. 

Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield. Edited by D. H. Montgomery. 
40 cents. 

Edmund Burke's Letter to a Noble Lord. Edited by Albert H. Smyth, 
Professor of English Literature in the Central High School, Philadelphia. 
30 cents. 

Irving's Sketch Book. (Complete.) Edited, with Introduction and 
Notes, by Mary E. Litchfield. cents. 

De Quincey's Revolt of the Tartars. Edited by W. E. Simonds, Pro- 
fessor of English Literature in Knox College, Galesburg, 111. 30 cents. 

Milton's Paradise Lost, Books L and IL, and Lycidas. Edited by 
Homer B. Sprague. 40 cents. 



GINN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

Boston. New York. Chicago. Atlanta. Dallas. 



REI-HRHNCH BOOKS ON POETRY 



A Book of Elizabethan Lyrics. Selected and edited by Felix E. 
ScHELLiNG, Professor of English Literature in the University of 
Pennsylvania. 327 pages. For introduction, $1.12. 

Old English Ballads. Selected and edited by Professor F. B. Gum- 
mere of Haverford College, 380 pages. For introduction, $1.25. 

Introduction to the Poetry of Robert Browning. By William J. 
Alexander, Professor of English, University College, Toronto. 
212 pages. For introduction, $1.00. 

Hudson's Text-Book of Poetry. By Henry N. Hudson. Selections 
from Wordsworth, Coleridge, Burns, Beattie, Goldsmith, and 
Thomson. With Lives and Notes. Cloth. 704 pages. For 
introduction, $1.25. 

Sidney's Defense of Poesy. Edited by Albert S. Cook, Professor of 
the English Language and Literature in Yale University. 103 
pages. For introduction, 80 cents. 

Shelley's Defense of Poetry. Edited by Professor Albert S. Cook. 
86 pages. For introduction, 50 cents. 

Cardinal Newman's Essay on Poetry. With reference to Aristotle's 
Poetics. Edited by Professor Albert S. Cook. 36 pages. For 
introduction, 30 cents. 

The Art of Poetry. The Poetical Treatises of Horace, Vida, and 
Boileau, with the translations by Howes, Pitt, and Soame. 
Edited by Professor Albert S. Cook. 214 pages. For intro- 
duction, ^1.12. 

Addison's Criticisms on Paradise Lost. Edited by Professor Albert 
S. Cook. 200 pages. For introduction, $1.00. 

What is Poetry ? By Leigh Hunt. Edited by Professor Albert S. 
Cook. 98 pages. For introduction, 50 cents. 

A Primer of English Verse. By Hiram Corson, Professor of English 
Literature in Cornell University. 232 pages. For introduction, 

li.oo. 

A Hand-Book of Poetics. By Francis B. Gummere, Professor of 
English Literature in Haverford College. 250 pages. For intro- 
duction, $1.00. 

Characteristics of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Shirley. By 
William Minto. For introduction, $1.50. 



GINN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

Boston. New York. Chicago. Atlanta. Dallas. 



GAYLEY'S CLASSIC MYTHS 

THE CLASSIC MYTHS IN ENGLISH LITERATURE. 

Based chiefly on Bulfinch's " Age of Fable " (1855). Accompanied by an 
Interpretative and Illustrative Commentary. 

EDITED BY 

CHARLES MILLS GAYLEY, 

Professor of the English Language and Literature in the 
U?iiversity of California. 



i2mo. Half leather. 540 pages. Fully illustrated, together with 16 full- 
page illustrations. For introduction, $1.50. 



Attention is called to these special features of this book : 

An introduction on the indebtedness of English poetry 
to the literature of fable ; and on methods of teaching 
mythology. 

An elementary account of myth-making and of the prin- 
cipal poets of mythology, and of the beginnings of the world, 
of gods and of men among the Greeks. 

A thorough revision and systematization of Bulfinch's 
Stories of Gods and Heroes : with additional stor-ies, and 
with selections from English poems based upon the myths. 

Illustrative cuts from Baumeister, Roscher, and other 
standard authorities on mythology. 

Certain necessary modifications in Bulfinch's treatment of 
the mythology of nations other than the Greek and Roman. 

Notes, following the text (as in the school editions of 
Latin and Greek authors), containing an historical and 
interpretative commentary upon certain myths, supplemen- 
tary poetical citations, a list of the better known allusions 
to mythological fiction, references to works of art, and hints 
to teachers and students. 



GINN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

0oston. New York. Chicago. Atlanta. Dallas. 



BOOKS ON HIGHER ENGLISH 



EDITED HY 



ALBERT S. COOK, 

Professor of the Ettglish Lajigtiage afui Literature in Vale Ujtiversity. 

Sidney's Defense of Poesy, xlv + 103 pages. For introduction, 

80 cents. 

Shelley's Defense of Poetry, xxvi + 86 pages. For introduction, 
50 cents. 

The Art of Poetry. The Poetical Treatises of Horace, Vida, and 
Boileau, with the translations by Howes, Pitt, and Soame. Iviii + 
303 pages. For introduction, $1.12. 

Cardinal Newman's Essay on Poetry. With reference to 
Aristotle's Poetics, x + 36 pages. For introduction, 30 cents. 

Addison's Criticisms on Paradise Lost, xxiv + 200 pages. For 
introduction, ^i.oo. 

Leigh Hunt's Answer to the Question * What is Poetry ? ' 

Including Remarks on Versification, vi + 98 pages. For intro- 
duction, 50 cents. 

Tennyson's The Princess. Boards, xlvi + 187 pages. For intro- 
duction, 40 cents. 



EDMUND C. STEDMAN, AiitJior of ''Victorian Poets^ ''Poets of 
Atnerica,'''' "The iVature and Elemeiits of Poetry,^'' etc.: 

More than once of late, when asked to name, for some 
friend or correspondent, a course of reading upon the spirit 
and structure of Poetry, I have at once recommended Pro- 
fessor Albert S. Cook's series, and have been grateful to 
him for his admirable labors. He could have made no 
better choice of treatises to edit ; and Sidney, Shelley, Addi- 
son, Hunt, and Newman have had no better editor — so far 
as their exquisite essays upon the divine art are concerned. 
Professor Cook's notes are the fruit of sympathetic taste 
and liberal scholarship. The books, in fact, are models as 
handbooks, upon an ideal subject, designed for practical 
use. 

GINN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

Boston. New York. Chicago. Atlanta. Dallas. 



English Composition and Rhetoric 

Text-books and works of reference for 
high schools, academies, and colleges. 



Lessons in English. Adapted to the study of American Classics. A 
text-book for high schools and academies. By Sara E. H. Lock- 
wood, formerly Teacher of English in the High School, New Haven 
Conn. Cloth. 403 pages. For introduction, ^1.12. 

A Practical Course in English Composition. By Alphonso G. New- 
comer, Assistant Professor of English in Leland Stanford Junior 
University. Cloth. 249 pages. For introduction, 80 cents. 

A Method of English Composition. By T. Whiting Bancroft, late 
Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in Brown University. 
Cloth. loi pages. For introduction, 50 cents. 

The Practical Elements of Rhetoric. By John F. Genung, Professor 
of Rhetoric in Amherst College. Cloth. 483 pages. For intro- 
duction, $1.25. 

A Handbook of Rhetorical Analysis. Studies in style and invention, 
designed to accompany the author's Practical Ele7ne)its of Rheto7-ic. 
By John F. Genung. Cloth. 306 pages. Introduction and teachers' 
price, $1.12. 

Outlines of Rhetoric. Embodied in rules, illustrative examples, and a 
progressive course of prose composition. By John F. Genung. 
Cloth. 331 pages. P^or introduction, $1.00. 

The Principles of Argumentation. By George P. Baker, Assistant 
Professor of English in Harvard University. Cloth. 414 pages. For 
introduction, $1.12. 

The Forms of Discourse. With an introductory chapter on style. By 
William B. Cairns, Instructor in Rhetoric in the University of 
Wisconsin. Cloth. 356 pages. For introduction, $1.15. 

Outlines of the Art of Expression. By J. H. Gilmore, Professor of 
Logic, Rhetoric, and English in the University of Rochester, N.Y. 
Cloth. 117 pages. For introduction, 60 cents. 

The Rhetoric Tablet. By F. N. Scott, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric, 
University of Michigan, and J. V. Denney, Associate Professor of 
Rhetoric, Ohio State University. No. i, white paper (ruled). No. 2, 
tinted paper (ruled). Sixty sheets in each. For introduction, 15 cents. 

Public Speaking and Debate. A manual for advocates and agitators. 
By George Jacob Holyoake. Cloth. 266 pages. For intro- 
duction, ^i.oo. 



QiNN & Company, Publishers, 

Boston. New York. Chicago. Atlanta. DallM« 



TEXT-BOOKS ON RHETORIC 

FOR HIGHER SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 

By JOHN F. GENUNG, 

Professor of Rhetoric in A ntherst College. 

The Practical Elements of Rhetoric. 121110. Cloth. 483 pages. 

For introduction, $1.25. 

Outlines of Rhetoric. Embodied in rules, illustrative examples, and 
a progressive course of prose composition. i2mo. Cloth. 
331 pages. For introduction, $1.00. 

A Handbook of Rhetorical Analysis. Studies in style and inven- 
tion, designed to accompany the author's " Practical Elements of 
Rhetoric." i2mo. Cloth. 306 pages. Introduction and teachers' 
price, ^1.12. 

Professor Genung's Practical Elements of Rhetoric, though 
a work on a trite subject, has aroused general enthusiasm by 
its freshness and practical worth. 

The treatment is characterized by good sense, simplicity, 
originality, availability, completeness, and ample illustration. 

It is throughout constructive and the student is regarded 
at every step as endeavoring to make literature. All of the 
literary forms have been given something of the fullness 
hitherto accorded only to argument and oratory. 

The Outlines of Rhetoric is in no sense a condensation or 
adaptation of the author's " Elements," but an entirely new 
book prepared for a different field. 

Great care has been taken in this work to state the prin- 
ciples in such plain and simple language that the pupil will 
not fail to understand ; and such is its clearness that even 
beginners will find many of the deeper principles of expres- 
sion, as well as the simpler, both lucid and interesting. 

The Handbook of Rhetorical Analysis follows the general plan 
of the "Elements," being designed to alternate with that 
from time to time, as different stages of the subject are 
reached. 

GINN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

Boston. New York. Chicago. Atlanta. Dallas. 



HUDSON'S SHAKESPEARE 



For School and Home Use. 



By henry N. HUDSON, LL.D., 

Author of '■'The Life, Art, and Characters of Shakespeare^ 
Editor of " The Harvard Shakespeare,^'' etc. 



Revised and enlarged Editions of twenty-three Plays. Carefully expurgated, 

with explanatory Notes at the bottom of the page, and critical Notes at 

the end of each volume. One play in each volume. 
Square i6mo. Varying in size from 128 to 253 pages. Mailing price of each: 

cloth, 50 cents; paper, 35 cents. Introduction price, cloth, 45 cents; 

paper, 30 cents. Per set (in box), $10.00. 

Why is Hudson's Shakespeare the standard in a majority of the best 
schools where the greatest attention is paid to this subject ? Because 
Dr. Hudson was the ablest Shakespearean scholar America has ever 
known. His introductions to the plays of Shakespeare are well worth 
the price of the volume. He makes the characters almost living flesh 
and blood, and creates a great interest on the part of the student and a 
love for Shakespeare's works, without which no special progress can be 
made. Whoever can command the interest of the pupil in a great 
author or his works is the person who renders the greatest service. 

The list of plays in Hudson's School Shakespeare is as follows : 



A Midsummer Night's Dream. Henry the Fourth, Part I. 



The Merchant of Venice. 
Much Ado about Nothing. 
As You Like It. 
The Tempest. 
King John. 
Richard the Second. 
Richard the Third. 



Henry the Fourth, Part 11. 
Henry the Fifth. 
Henry the Eighth. 
Romeo and Juliet. 
Julius Ccesar. 
Hamlet. 
King Lear. 



Macbeth. 

Antony and Cleopatra. 

Othello. 

Cymbeline. 

Coriolanus. 

Twelfth Night. 

The Winter's Tale. 



C. T. Winchester, Professor of Eiig- 
lish Literature, Wesley an University: 
The notes and comments in the school 
edition are admirably fitted to the need of 
the student, removing his difficulties by 
stimulating his interest and quickening his 
perception. 



Hiram Corson, Professor of English 
Literature, Cornell University : I con- 
sider them altogether excellent. The 
notes give all the aid needed for an under- 
standing of the text, without waste and 
distraction of the student's mind. The 
introductory matter to the several plays is 
especially worthy of approbation. 



We invite correspondence with all who are interested in the 
study of Shakespeare in the class-room. 



GINN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

Boston. New York. Chicago. Atlanta. Dallas, 



OCT 23 1839 



